title: The function of neuropilin/plexin complexes.
abstract: Neuropilins bind the secreted class 3 semaphorins with high affinity but require a member of the plexin family to form receptors that are able to activate downstream signal transduction cascades. In this receptor complex neuropilins act as the ligand-binding subunit while plexins function as the signal-transducing subunit in the induction of cytoskeletal collapse by semaphorins. The cytoplasmic domain is highly conserved within the plexin family and interacts with Rho-like GTPases.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeine Zoologie und Genetik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Schlossplatz 5, D-48149 Münster Germany. apuschel@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Andreas W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Püschel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D039942:Neuropilin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D039921:Neuropilins / Q000502:physiology*; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D039921:Neuropilins; D039961:Semaphorins; C091529:plexin; D039942:Neuropilin-1; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases