Juno is the egg Izumo receptor and is essential for mammalian fertilization

Article

关键词: REGULATORY T-CELLS;    MEMBRANE BLOCK;    SPERM PENETRATION;    PLASMA-MEMBRANE;    MYOBLAST FUSION;    FOLIC-ACID;    FOLATE;    POLYSPERMY;    CD9;    SURFACE;   

DOI  :  10.1038/nature13203

来源: SCIE

【 摘 要 】

Fertilization occurs when sperm and egg recognize each other and fuse to form a new, genetically distinct organism. The molecular basis of sperm-egg recognition is unknown, but is likely to require interactions between receptor proteins displayed on their surface. Izumo1 is an essential sperm cell-surface protein, but its receptor on the egg has not been described. Here we identify folate receptor 4 (Folr4) as the receptor for Izumo1 on the mouse egg, and propose to rename it Juno. We show that the Izumo1-Juno interaction is conserved within several mammalian species, including humans. Female mice lacking Juno are infertile and Juno-deficient eggs do not fuse with normal sperm. Rapid shedding of Juno from the oolemma after fertilization suggests a mechanism for the membrane block to polyspermy, ensuring eggs normally fuse with just a single sperm. Our discovery of an essential receptor pair at the nexus of conception provides opportunities for the rational development of new fertility treatments and contraceptives.

【 授权许可】

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