Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward
Fertilization represents a critical stage in biology, where successful alleles of a previous generation are shuffled into new arrangements and subjected to the forces of selection in the next generation. Although much research has been conducted on how variation in morphological and behavioural trai...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Royal Society
2017-01-01
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| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.170577 |
| _version_ | 1818502450441617408 |
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| author | Leah Springate Timothy R. Frasier |
| author_facet | Leah Springate Timothy R. Frasier |
| author_sort | Leah Springate |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fertilization represents a critical stage in biology, where successful alleles of a previous generation are shuffled into new arrangements and subjected to the forces of selection in the next generation. Although much research has been conducted on how variation in morphological and behavioural traits lead to variation in fertilization patterns, surprisingly little is known about fertilization at a molecular level, and specifically about how genes expressed on the sperm and egg themselves influence fertilization patterns. In mammals, several genes have been identified whose products are expressed on either the sperm or the egg, and which influence the fertilization process, but the specific mechanisms are not yet known. Additionally, in 2014 an interacting pair of proteins was identified: ‘Izumo’ on the sperm, and ‘Juno’ on the egg. With the identification of these genes comes the first opportunity to understand the molecular aspects of fertilization in mammals, and to identify how the genetic characteristics of these genes influence fertilization patterns. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of fertilization and gamete compatibility in mammals, which should provide a helpful guide to researchers interested in untangling the molecular mechanisms of fertilization and the resulting impacts on population biology and evolutionary processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:10:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ad2514050ae74223a6f8ed955a3d3506 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2054-5703 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:10:24Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | The Royal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Royal Society Open Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-ad2514050ae74223a6f8ed955a3d35062022-12-22T01:33:30ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032017-01-014810.1098/rsos.170577170577Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forwardLeah SpringateTimothy R. FrasierFertilization represents a critical stage in biology, where successful alleles of a previous generation are shuffled into new arrangements and subjected to the forces of selection in the next generation. Although much research has been conducted on how variation in morphological and behavioural traits lead to variation in fertilization patterns, surprisingly little is known about fertilization at a molecular level, and specifically about how genes expressed on the sperm and egg themselves influence fertilization patterns. In mammals, several genes have been identified whose products are expressed on either the sperm or the egg, and which influence the fertilization process, but the specific mechanisms are not yet known. Additionally, in 2014 an interacting pair of proteins was identified: ‘Izumo’ on the sperm, and ‘Juno’ on the egg. With the identification of these genes comes the first opportunity to understand the molecular aspects of fertilization in mammals, and to identify how the genetic characteristics of these genes influence fertilization patterns. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of fertilization and gamete compatibility in mammals, which should provide a helpful guide to researchers interested in untangling the molecular mechanisms of fertilization and the resulting impacts on population biology and evolutionary processes.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.170577cryptic female choicegamete compatibilitymate compatibilitypost-copulatory sexual selection |
| spellingShingle | Leah Springate Timothy R. Frasier Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward Royal Society Open Science cryptic female choice gamete compatibility mate compatibility post-copulatory sexual selection |
| title | Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward |
| title_full | Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward |
| title_fullStr | Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward |
| title_short | Gamete compatibility genes in mammals: candidates, applications and a potential path forward |
| title_sort | gamete compatibility genes in mammals candidates applications and a potential path forward |
| topic | cryptic female choice gamete compatibility mate compatibility post-copulatory sexual selection |
| url | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.170577 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leahspringate gametecompatibilitygenesinmammalscandidatesapplicationsandapotentialpathforward AT timothyrfrasier gametecompatibilitygenesinmammalscandidatesapplicationsandapotentialpathforward |