A step closer to understanding fertilization
Monday, February 8, 2016 - 15:41
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have taken a step closer to understanding the mechanism that leads to the fusion of egg and sperm at fertilization. Using the technique X-ray crystallography, they have determined the 3-D structure of Juno, a mammalian egg protein essential for triggering gamete fusion. Their findings are not only interesting from an evolutionary perspective, but also reveal the shape of a possible target for future non-hormonal contraceptives.