Abstract: The invention provides isolated or purified nucleic molecules consisting of a nucleotide sequence encoding human transductin-1 (TDC1), such as SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also provides vectors comprising the isolated or purified nucleic acid sequences and cells comprising such vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified nucleic acid molecules consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence encoding either transductin-1 (TDC1) or transductin-2 (TDC2), related and derivative nucleic acid molecules vectors comprising the isolated or purified nucleic acid sequences, cells comprising such vectors, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecules, monoclonal antibodies and cell lines producing the monoclonal antibodies. The invention also provides methods of treating, prognosticating and monitoring hearing loss.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting hearing loss or a predisposition to hearing loss in an animal, which comprises detecting at least one mutation in a gene encoding transduction-1 (TDC1) in a test sample obtained from the animal. The invention also provides a method of determining the level of nucleic acid comprising a wild-type TDC1 gene and/or a mutant TDC1 gene in a test sample obtained from an animal.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified nucleic acid molecule consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence encoding transductin-2 (TDC2), related and derivative nucleic acid molecules, vectors comprising the isolated or purified nucleic acid sequences, cells comprising such vectors, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecules, monoclonal antibodies and cell lines producing the monoclonal antibodies. The invention also provides methods of treating, prognosticating and monitoring hearing loss.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified nucleic acid molecule consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence encoding transductin-2 (TDC2), related and derivative nucleic acid molecules, vectors comprising the isolated or purified nucleic acid sequences, cells comprising such vectors, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecules, monoclonal antibodies and cell lines producing the monoclonal antibodies. The invention also provides methods of treating, prognosticating and monitoring hearing loss.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified nucleic acid molecules consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequence encoding either transductin-1 (TDC1) or transductin-2 (TDC2), related and derivative nucleic acid molecules, vectors comprising the isolated or purified nucleic acid sequences, cells comprising such vectors, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecules, monoclonal antibodies and cell lines producing the monoclonal antibodies. The invention also provides methods of treating, prognosticating and monitoring hearing loss.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an automobile sunvisor, wherein a pair of overcoatings for the sunvisor, the rear surface of which is respectively covered with a layer of thermoplastic resin, is pressure-welded between an upper electrode member and a lower electrode member and cut at the same position without displacement, thus forming no protruding welded portion in the periphery of the sunvisor. Moreover, the pair of the overcoatings can be securely welded to each other without any particular portion for welding prepared in the overcoatings because the thermoplastic resin is melted inside the sealed portion of the pair of overcoatings during the pressure-welding.