Verified Document

Izumo Protein Understanding The Molecular Term Paper

This study however has raised some new questions. The difference in fertilization capacities between wild type and Izumo +/- type was not clearly discussed. Also, the fact that ICSI of izumo -/- produces twice as many litters as did the izumo +/- type implicates the possible role of other proteins, the expression of which is affected by the allele. That is to say that the mutant knockout sperm might have up-regulated or down regulated the expression of this unknown protein which may have aided the fertilization process as indicated by the statistics. [Katie Winter] contraceptive vaccine targeting the sperm is very much in prospect but much work is yet to be accomplished. A CD46 gene knockout as tried by the author in an earlier study did not result in defective sperm egg fusion. [Inoue et.al 2003] Similarly, ADAM1, ADAM2, ADAM3 gene knockout did not result in fusion defects but only exhibited problems in sperm zona binding. [Cho et, al 1998] a recent development of an immuno-contraceptive antigen for mice proved to be unsuccessful in spite of its success in vitro. [Wang et.al, 2008]

Conclusion

The process of fertilization is an intriguing one involving very many factors that leaves us awe in wonder at the complex molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of the embryo. Fertilization involves a variety of stages and every stage is important for the successful formation of the embryo. The discovery of the role of the izumo protein in the process of fertilization is therefore a remarkable breakthrough in our understanding of reproductive biology. This new discovery has opened new vistas for scientific research in the research on safe and cheaper contraceptives as well as providing a whole new dimension in our understanding of male infertility problems. Also, other results from the study such as the considerable variations in fertilization rates among izumo -/- and izumo +/- type sperms in the ICSI experiment...

Thus, it is clear that we are still a long way from understanding the intricacies of fusion and post fusion events. It becomes vital to understand the other protein molecules that play a critical role in the fusion and fertilization process. However, there is no question of doubt that the discovery of the all-important role of the izumo protein in the egg-sperm fusion process has definitely furthered our knowledge and has taken us a step closer to fully understanding the biology of fertilization.
Bibliography

Wang, De Gang, Huang, Tian Hua, Xie, Quing Dong, an, Gang, (Mar 2008), 'Investigation of Recombinant mouse sperm protein Izumo as a potential immunocontraceptive agent', American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Vol 59, No 3, pg. 225-234

Inoue N, Ikawa M, Nakanishi T, Matsumoto M, Nomura M, Seya T, Okabe M. (2003) Disruption of mouse CD46 causes an accelerated spontaneous acrosome reaction in sperm. Mol Cell Biol. 23: 2614 -2622

Cho C, Bunch DO, Faure JE, Goulding EH, Eddy EM, Primakoff P, Myles DG. (1998), 'Fertilization defects in sperm from mice lacking fertilin beta'. Science.281: 1857 -1859

Naz RK, Leslie MH, Zhu X. (2001) 'Inhibition of murine sperm-oolemma binding by antibodies to an oocyte membrane (OM) antigen: implication in contraceptive vaccine development'. Am J. Reprod Immunol. 45: 52 -61.

Katie Winter, 'Review Paper: The immunoglobulin superfamily protein Izumo is required for sperm to fuse with eggs' retrieved 12th march 2008, at http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/Molbio/MolStudents/spring2005/Winter/Review.htm

Naokazu Inoue, Masahito Ikawa, Ayako Isotani & Masaru

Okabe,(Mar 2005) 'The immunoglobulin superfamily protein

Izumo is required for sperm to fuse with eggs', Nature 434, 234-238

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Wang, De Gang, Huang, Tian Hua, Xie, Quing Dong, an, Gang, (Mar 2008), 'Investigation of Recombinant mouse sperm protein Izumo as a potential immunocontraceptive agent', American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, Vol 59, No 3, pg. 225-234

Inoue N, Ikawa M, Nakanishi T, Matsumoto M, Nomura M, Seya T, Okabe M. (2003) Disruption of mouse CD46 causes an accelerated spontaneous acrosome reaction in sperm. Mol Cell Biol. 23: 2614 -2622

Cho C, Bunch DO, Faure JE, Goulding EH, Eddy EM, Primakoff P, Myles DG. (1998), 'Fertilization defects in sperm from mice lacking fertilin beta'. Science.281: 1857 -1859

Naz RK, Leslie MH, Zhu X. (2001) 'Inhibition of murine sperm-oolemma binding by antibodies to an oocyte membrane (OM) antigen: implication in contraceptive vaccine development'. Am J. Reprod Immunol. 45: 52 -61.
Katie Winter, 'Review Paper: The immunoglobulin superfamily protein Izumo is required for sperm to fuse with eggs' retrieved 12th march 2008, at http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/Molbio/MolStudents/spring2005/Winter/Review.htm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Molecular Microbiology Rsal Provides Quorum
Words: 1168 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

RESULTS The first noticeable result was at first disappointing but turned around later in the trail. At first the rsaL mutation did not have any effect on the production of 30C12-HSL nor on lasl transcription, but it began to appear later in the logarithmic phase of propagation at which time the 30C12-HSL production along with Plasl activity reached homoeostasis in the wild strain while continuing to increase rsaL in the mutant

Molecular Basis Glanzmann Thrombasthenia an Investigation of
Words: 2810 Length: 8 Document Type: Introduction Chapter

Molecular Basis Glanzmann Thrombasthenia An investigation of the molecular basis of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) The objective of this project is to investigate the molecular basis of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT) using polymerase chain reaction. There have been many mutations discovered in GT patients over the years in many studies. Thus using PCR to genotype patients is one of the most effective ways of discerning the genetic basis of the

Molecular Biology a Study of Protein X
Words: 1801 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Expression Profiling of a Novel Protein A new transcription unit was discovered while working with transfected murine BAC clones, because a novel spot appeared on a 2-dimensional protein gel. Through a process of expression subcloning from the BAC clone, the transcription unit that generated the novel peptide was located. This finding was back validated by sequencing the protein contained in the 2-D gel piece using N-terminal Edman degradation and mass spectroscopy

Nanomachines the Science of Molecular Size Machines
Words: 4289 Length: 11 Document Type: Term Paper

Nanomachines The Science of molecular size machines and its engineering designs and constructions until late 1980s were not considered practicable. Nanotechnology, according to the leading exponents of that time were neither feasible nor viable, due to the fact of total structural difference of the constituent of nano-molecular device i.e. Atoms from the mechanical objects of every day life. The essential components of engineering mechanics i.e. cogwheels, gears or motors could not

Analytical and Molecular Techniques in Biomedical Sciences
Words: 4132 Length: 13 Document Type: Assessment

laboratory-based practical work undertaken in this module was in relation to a case study of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, SLE. SLE is a connective tissue disorder, which is autoimmune in nature. This disease affects multiple organs and its clinical manifestation is based on its severity and the organ involved. The pathogenesis of this disease is based on antigen-antibody complexes that circulate in the blood and deposit in the smaller blood

Molecular Biology Plasmids and Cloning
Words: 853 Length: 3 Document Type: Article Review

Plasmids "Construction of the mobilizable plasmid pMV158GFP" "Construction of the mobilizable plasmid pMV158GFP" is an article that describes the construction of a new, mobilizable plasmid, based on the pMV158 plasmid; but containing the gene which codes for green fluorescent protein (gfp) and is controlled by a maltose inducible promoter (Pm). The new pMV158GFP plasmid allows for bacteria which contain it to glow green under UV light, indicating whether or not the plasmid

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now