title: Function of an axonal chemoattractant modulated by metalloprotease activity.
abstract: The axonal chemoattractant netrin-1 guides spinal commissural axons by activating its receptor DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer). We have found that chemical inhibitors of metalloproteases potentiate netrin-mediated axon outgrowth in vitro. We have also found that DCC is a substrate for metalloprotease-dependent ectodomain shedding, and that the inhibitors block proteolytic processing of DCC and cause an increase in DCC protein levels on axons within spinal cord explants. Thus, potentiation of netrin activity by inhibitors may result from stabilization of DCC on the axons, and proteolytic activity may regulate axon migration by controlling the number of functional extracellular axon guidance receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Galko
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tessier-Lavigne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D016466:CHO Cells; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D046508:Culture Techniques; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075388:Netrin-1; D010618:Phenanthrolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C000617354:Ntn1 protein, rat; D010618:Phenanthrolines; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D000075388:Netrin-1; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C025205:1,10-phenanthroline