Cloning and characterization of a novel class VI semaphorin, semaphorin Y.
Semaphorins comprise a large family of proteins implicated in axonal guidance. We cloned a novel transmembrane semaphorin, semaphorin Y (Sema Y), which has a class VI sema domain. Sema Y shows growth cone collapsing activity on DRG neurons in vitro, and the target regions of the DRG neurons express sema Y mRNA during development. Sema Y may be a stop signal for these neurons in their target areas. Interestingly, sema Y mRNA was also detected in other neurons and their targets. Two isoforms of Sema Y derived from alternative splicing were identified and their expression was found to be regulated in a tissue- and age-dependent manner. Distribution of sema Y mRNA suggests that Sema Y might also be important during maintenance of axonal connections and/or differentiation and migration of cells. Sequence comparison among class VI semaphorins revealed two short conserved sequence stretches in their cytoplasmic domains, suggesting interaction of these semaphorins with a common intracellular component(s).
Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Research Center, 3-1-98, Kasugade-Naka, Konohana, Osaka, 554-0022, Japan.
K
K
Kikuchi
A
A
Chédotal
H
H
Hanafusa
Y
Y
Ujimasa
F
F
de Castro
C S
CS
Goodman
T
T
Kimura
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D039961:Semaphorins
D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C504203:Sema6a protein, mouse; C504199:Sema6c protein, mouse; C504200:Sema6c protein, rat; D039961:Semaphorins