Mitochondrial COI/tRNASer(UCN) G7444A mutation may be associated with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing impairment.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been reported to have important roles in aminoglyco-side-induced hearing impairment; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have remained largely elusive. The current study presented a case of a Chinese patient with maternally inherited aminoglycoside-induced hearing impairment. A profound hearing impairment was identified by clinical evaluation; furthermore, analysis of the mitochondrial genome sequence of the patient revealed the presence of an A1555G mutation in the 12S rRNA as well as a G7444A mutation in the COI/tRNASer(UCN) gene. As the G7444A mutation is highly conserved between various species, it may be a modifying factor with regard to the pathological effects of the A1555G mutation.