After a decade of research, a team of researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has identified Juno, a protein located on the membrane of the egg cell that enables the sperm cell to recognise it. Its presence, and that of Izumo (its counterpart on the sperm cell), is essential for fertilisation. Fusion of the egg and sperm, and subsequent formation of the embryo depend on the interactions of these proteins.
This work, published on Wednesday 16 April in the journal Nature, may contribute to improved treatments for infertility and the development of new contraceptives.
Researchers at Inserm will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about this discovery (see “Investigator contact”).
How is the male genome preserved until it reaches the egg? (July 2013)
What are the chances of female fertility after an ectopic pregnancy? (March 2013)
Infertility: how can the ovulation function be restored? (October 2012)
Jacques Demouzon
Cochin-Saint-Vincent de Paul
Service de Gynécologie obstétrique II et de Médecine de la reproduction
06 62 06 22 74
01 43 22 46 79
jacques.demouzon@inserm.fr
Alfred Spira
Inserm Unit 1018 “Centre de recherche en épidémiologie et santé des populations”
06 33 17 30 59
alfred.spira@inserm.fr
Jacques Young
Inserm Unit 693 “Récepteurs stéroïdiens: physiopathologie endocrinienne et métabolique”
01 45 21 37 06
jacques.young@bct.aphp.fr
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