Sequence analysis of a variety of primate fertilin alpha genes: evidence for non-functional genes in the gorilla and man.
The sperm surface fertilin complex was first described in the guinea pig where it was found as a heterodimer of alpha and beta subunits, both of which were proposed to play a role in sperm-oolemma recognition and plasma membrane fusion during fertilisation. Whilst the beta subunit is apparently testis-specific, the finding of low levels of fertilin alpha in nonreproductive tissues has cast some doubt on a unique role in fertilisation. Moreover, the absence of a functional fertilin alpha gene in the human would imply that this gene product is not absolutely essential for fertilisation, although it could play a facilitatory role. We now describe the organisation and sequence of the fertilin alpha genes in a range of primates, including the great apes, and find that the gorilla gene, like that of the human, is non-functional.
Jury
J A
JA
Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom.
Frayne
J
J
Hall
L
L
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000072196:Fertilins; D006071:Gorilla gorilla; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011323:Primates
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072196:Fertilins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases