Discovery of semaphorin receptors, neuropilin and plexin, and their functions in neural development.
The semaphorin receptors neuropilin and plexin were initially identified as antigens for monoclonal antibodies MAb-A5 and MAb-B2, which bind to specific neuropiles and plexiform layers within the Xenopus tadpole nervous systems, several years before the discovery of the first semaphorin. This article provides an overview of how neuropilin and plexin were discovered. In addition, it describes the functions of neuropilin in the signaling of chemorepulsive activities of class 3 semaphorins and roles of neuropilin-mediated semaphorin activities in the directional guidance of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and integration of the peripheral ganglia.
Group of Developmental Neurobiology, Division of Biological Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Science, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.
Hajime
H
Fujisawa
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D051379:Mice; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D039921:Neuropilins / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014981:Xenopus
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D039921:Neuropilins; D039961:Semaphorins; C091529:plexin