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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.
Pubmed ID: 24739963
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Commercial antibody supplier and developer for biomedical research. These products are compatible with use in flow cytometry and mass cytometry, immunoprecipitation and chip, western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, and quantitative multiplexing.
View all literature mentionsRIKEN BRC contributes to advancement of life science research by collecting, preserving and distributing biological resources such as experimental animals, experimental plants, cultured cell lines, genetic materials (DNA), and associated bioinformatics. The RIKEN BRC develops novel bioresources to promote scientific research and new technologies to increase the value of bioresources, and also to implement effective procedures for the preservation, quality control and usage of bioresources. The RIKEN BRC is working closely with institutions in Japan and abroad.
View all literature mentionsCenter that produces knockout mice and carries out high-throughput phenotyping of each line in order to determine function of every gene in mouse genome. These mice will be preserved in repositories and made available to scientific community representing valuable resource for basic scientific research as well as generating new models for human diseases.
View all literature mentionslaboratory mouse with name C57BL/6NTac from MGI.
View all literature mentionslaboratory mouse with name C57BL/6N from MGI.
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293T is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293T is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293 is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentions