Hypergonadotropic Ovarian Failure Associated with an Inherited Mutation of Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-15 ( BMP15) Gene

• Published in: American journal of human genetics Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 106 - 111
• Main Authors: Di Pasquale, Elisa, Beck-Peccoz, Paolo, Persani, Luca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL Elsevier Inc 01.07.2004; University of Chicago Press; The American Society of Human Genetics
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Alleles; Amenorrhea - genetics; Amino Acid Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - genetics; Chromosomes, Human, X - genetics; Female; General aspects. Genetic counseling; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Granulosa Cells - pathology; Growth Differentiation Factor 9; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Karyotyping; Medical genetics; Medical sciences; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation, Missense; Ovary - abnormalities; Pedigree; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency - genetics; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Endocrinopathy; Human; Ovarian diseases; Bone morphogenetic protein; Gene; Ovarian failure; Genetics; Mutation; Female genital diseases
• ISSN: 0002-9297; 1537-6605
• DOI: 10.1086/422103

Hypergonadotropic ovarian failure is a common cause of female infertility. It is a heterogeneous disorder that, in the most severe forms, is a result of ovarian dysgenesis (OD). Most OD cases are associated with major X-chromosome abnormalities, but the pathogenesis of this disorder is still largely undefined in patients with a normal karyotype. Animal models showed the important role in female reproduction played by the product of a gene located at Xp11.2 in humans ( BMP15). BMP15 is an oocyte-specific growth/differentiation factor that stimulates folliculogenesis and granulosa cell (GC) growth. We report two sisters with a normal karyotype who are affected with hypergonadotropic ovarian failure due to OD. The familial presentation suggested a genetic origin, and candidate genes were screened for mutations. A heterozygous nonconservative substitution in the pro region of BMP15 (Y235C) was identified in both sisters but not in 210 control alleles. This mutation was inherited from the father. Mutant BMP15 appears to be processed abnormally, is associated with reduced GC growth, and antagonizes the stimulatory activity of wild-type protein on GC proliferation. In conclusion, the first natural mutation in human BMP15 is associated with familial OD, indicating that the action of BMP15 is required for the progression of human folliculogenesis. This condition represents an exceptional example of X-linked human disease exclusively affecting heterozygous females who inherited the genetic alteration from the unaffected father. BMP15 defects are involved in the pathogenesis of hypergonadotropic ovarian failure in humans.