Shared resources between the neural and immune systems: semaphorins join the ranks.
The semaphorin family of molecules contains members known to deliver guidance cues to migrating axons during development. Semaphorins also have been identified on the surface of hematopoietic cells and, interestingly, in the genomes of certain lytic viruses. Recent studies indicate that semaphorins bind with high affinity to at least two different receptor families and are biologically active on immune cells as well as neuronal cells.
Spriggs
M K
MK
Department of Molecular Biology, Immunex Corporation, 51 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. spriggs@immunex.com
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D039961:Semaphorins
D015703:Antigens, CD; C093224:CD100 antigen; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D039961:Semaphorins; C091529:plexin; C099436:semaphorin IV