Identification of a Novel Likely Pathogenic Variant of DIAPH3 Associated With New Phenotype of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND: DIAPH3 variants are associated with non-syndromic autosomal dominant auditory neuropathy 1 (AUNA1). To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of DIAPH3 variants causing sensorineural hearing loss. Here, we present a family with late-onset sensorineural hearing loss as an autosomal dominant trait, caused by a novel DIAPH3 variant. METHODS: Audiological examinations were conducted on family members. Whole exome sequencing was performed on the proband to detect candidate genes, and Sanger sequencing was used for other available family members to confirm the causative variation. RESULTS: The DIAPH3 c.1472A>G variant was identified as a disease-causing mutation in a Chinese family with late-onset hearing loss. Clinically, manifestations were bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (with pure-tone thresholds broadly correlating with speech discrimination scores), abnormal auditory brainstem response (ABR), and absent distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), without abnormalities in other organs or systems. CONCLUSIONS: We first identified the likely pathogenic variant DIAPH3 c.1472A>G in a Chinese family with non-syndromic genetic hearing loss. This point mutation of the DIAPH3 gene is associated with late-onset bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, distinguishing it from the auditory neuropathy previously reported in other studies. Our findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of DIAPH3-related disorders and underscore the importance of integrating genetic, electrophysiological, and molecular data to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.