Cover: Expression of a mutant transgene of GJB2 (Gap junction protein, beta-2) in the spiral limbus (Fig. 4D) and spiral ligament (Fig. 4E) of mice (green; non-specific fluorescence of osseous tissue is also seen). A dominant-negative mutant, GJB2R75W transcribes a protein that inhibits communication through connexin 26 (CX26)-containing gap junctions. Liposome-mediated gene transfer resulted in mutant expression in cochleae, thereby inducing hearing impairment in mice. See Article by Maeda et al., in this issue, pp. 1641-1650.
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