Genetic diversity in the IZUMO1-JUNO protein-receptor pair involved in human reproduction

Author:

Allingham Jessica,Floriano Wely B.ORCID

Abstract

Fertilization in mammals begins with the union of egg and sperm, an event that starts a cascade of cellular processes. The molecular-level understanding of these processes can guide the development of new strategies for controlling and/or promoting fertilization, and inform researchers and medical professional on the best choice of interventions. The proteins encoded by the IZUMO1 and JUNO genes form a ligand-receptor protein pair involved in the recognition of sperm and egg. Due to their role in the fertilization process, these proteins are potential targets for the development of novel anti-contraceptive, as well as infertility treatments. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of these gene sequences, with the objective of identifying evolutionary patterns that may support their relevance as targets for preventing or improving fertility among humans. JUNO and IZUMO1 gene sequences were identified within the genomes of over 2,000 humans sequenced in the 1000 Genomes Project. The human sequences were subjected to analyses of nucleotide diversity, deviation from neutrality of genetic variation, population-based differentiation (FST), haplotype inference, and whole chromosome scanning for signals of positive or of balancing selection. Derived alleles were determined by comparison to archaic hominin and other primate genomes. The potential effect of common non-synonymous variants on protein-protein interaction was also assessed. IZUMO1 displays higher variability among human individuals than JUNO. Genetic differentiation between continental population pairs was within whole-genome estimates for all but the JUNO gene in the African population group with respect to the other 4 population groups (American, East Asian, South Asian, and European). Tajima’s D values demonstrated deviation from neutrality for both genes in comparison to a group of genes identified in the literature as under balancing or positive selection. Tajima’s D for IZUMO1 aligns with values calculated for genes presumed to be under balancing selection, whereas JUNO’s value aligned with genes presumed to be under positive selection. These inferences on selection are both supported by SNP density, nucleotide diversity and haplotype analysis. A JUNO haplotype carrying 3 derived alleles out of 5, one of which is a missense mutation implicated in polyspermy, was found to be significant in a population of African ancestry. Polyspermy has a disadvantageous impact on fertility and its presence in approximately 30% of the population of African ancestry may be associated to a potentially beneficial role of this haplotype. This role has not been established and may be related to a non-reproductive role of JUNO. The high degree of conservation of the JUNO sequence combined with a dominant haplotype across multiple population groups supports JUNO as a potential target for the development of contraceptive treatments. In addition to providing a detailed account of human genetic diversity across these 2 important and related genes, this study also provides a framework for large population-based studies investigating protein-protein interactions at the genome level.

Funder

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Publisher

Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Subject

Multidisciplinary

Reference85 articles.

1. The cell biology of mammalian fertilization;M. Okabe;Development,2013

2. Sperm-egg fusion;R. Yanagimachi;Current Topic Membrane Transport,1988

3. Izumo1 and Juno: the evolutionary origins and coevolution of essential sperm-egg binding partners;P. Grayson;R Soc Open Sci,2015

4. JUNO is the egg IZUMO1 receptor and is essential for mammalian fertilization;E Bianchi;Nature,2014

5. Visualization of the moment of mouse sperm-egg fusion and dynamic localization of IZUMO1;Y Satouh;J Cell Sci,2012

Cited by 3 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3