Glucose transporter 5 is undetectable in outer hair cells and does not contribute to cochlear amplification.

Glucose transporter 5 (Glut5) is a high-affinity fructose transporter. It was proposed to be a motor protein or part of the motor complex required for cochlear amplification in outer hair cells (OHCs). Here we show that, in contrast to previous reports, Glut5 is undetectable, and possibly absent, in OHCs harvested from wildtype mice. Further, Glut5-deficient mice display normal OHC morphology and motor function (i.e., nonlinear capacitance and electromotility) and normal cochlear sensitivity and frequency selectivity. We conclude that Glut5 is not required for OHC motility or cochlear amplification.