Tel Aviv Researchers Identify Genetic Mutation Associated With Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), affects 1 percent of all women worldwide. In most cases, the exact cause of the condition, which is often associated with infertility, is difficult to determine.

A new Tel Aviv University study throws a spotlight on a previously unidentified cause of POI: a unique mutation in a gene called SYCE1 that has not been previously associated with POI in humans.

While the genes involved in chromosome duplication and division had been shown to cause POI in animal models, this is the first time a similar mutation has been identified in humans. The research was led by Dr. Liat de Vries, Prof. Lina Basel-Vanagaite and a team of researchers from TAU and Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel.

A new insight

“Researchers know that POI may be associated with Turner’s syndrome, a condition in which a woman has only one X chromosome instead of two, or could be due to toxins like chemotherapy and radiation therapy,” Dr. de Vries said in a statement. “However, in 90 percent of the cases, the exact cause remains a mystery.”

     SEE ALSO: Essential Protein May Be Key In Slowing Down Biological Clock

The idea for the study, recently published in the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” surfaced when Dr. de Vries was asked to treat two POI patients, daughters of two Israeli-Arab couples who were related to each other. The girls presented typical POI symptoms: one had the appearance of puberty but had not gotten her period, and the other one had not started puberty at all. After ruling out the usual suspects (toxins, autoimmune disease, and known chromosomal and genetic diseases), the researchers set out to identify the genetic cause of POI in the two young women.

“One of my main topics of interest is puberty,” Dr. de Vries said. “The clinical presentation of the two sisters, out of 11 children of first-degree cousins, was interesting. In each of the girls, POI was expressed differently. One had reached puberty and was almost fully developed but hadn’t menstruated. The second, 16-years-old, showed no signs of development whatsoever.”

The researchers performed genotyping in the patients, their parents, and siblings. For this, DNA from the affected sisters was subjected to whole-exome sequencing. Genotyping was also performed in 90 ethnically matched control individuals.

Identifying the culprit

The genotyping revealed a mutation that results in nonfunctional protein product in the SYCE1 gene in both affected sisters. The parents and three brothers were found to be carriers of the mutation, and an unaffected sister did not carry the mutation.

     SEE ALSO: Study: Women Should Time Their Meals To Reduce Chances Of Infertility

“By identifying the genetic mutation, we saved the family a lot of heartache by presenting evidence that any chance of inducing fertility in these two girls is slight,” Dr. de Vries said. “As bad as the news is, at least they will not spend years on fertility treatments and will instead invest efforts in acquiring an egg donation, for example. Knowledge is half the battle — and now the entire family knows it should undergo genetic testing for this mutation.”

The researchers are currently investigating evidence of the effects of this genetic mutation on male members of the family. “We are trying to get more family members tested, but it is not always easy in traditional societies. There is still a lot to be done on this subject,” Dr. de Vries said.

Photos: Tatiana Vbd, Pixmac.com