Description
Otoraplin, also known as OTOR is a secreted cytokine that is expressed predominantly in the cochlea of the inner ear and to a lesser extent in fetal brain and in some cartilage tissues. OTOR may play a role in chondrogenesis of the otic capsule as reduction of its expression by suitable antisense oligonucleotides causes a significant reduction in chondrogenesis.1 Otoraplin is homologous to the protein encoded by CDRAP/MIA (cartilage-derived retinoic acid sensitive protein/melanoma inhibitory activity), which is expressed predominantly by chondrocytes, functions in cartilage development and maintenance, and has growth-inhibitory activity in melanoma cell lines.2