A Novel Homozygous Missense Mutation of WEE2 Causes Female Infertility Characterized by Fertilization Failure

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the genetic cause of infertility in a female patient due to repeated fertilization failure.Methods: Whole exome sequencing was performed to obtain the candidate mutation. Sanger sequencing was used to identify the mutation of the proband and other family members. SIFT, Polyphen-2, and Mutation Taster were used to predict the pathogenicity of mutations. The online software Arpeggio and the mCSM online service were used to analyze the effect of the mutation on protein structure and stability. Results: We identified a novel homozygous missense mutation c.T1199A:p.L400Q (Leu400Gln) in WEE2 gene in a female proband with infertility caused by fertilization failure. Conclusions: We discovered a novel homozygous missense mutation c.T1199A:p.L400Q (Leu400Gln) of the WEE2 gene in an infertile female whose oocytes had undergone complete fertilization failure, either after ICSI or RICSI. Our findings extend the mutant spectrum of WEE2 , a genetic cause for fertilization failure, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis of the pathogenic causes of infertility.