The versatile roles of "axon guidance" cues in tissue morphogenesis.
The Netrin, Slit, Semaphorin, and Ephrin families of secreted proteins were originally characterized in the nervous system as guidance cues for axons; however, recent studies demonstrate that many members of these families contribute to the development of a variety of organs. Here, the current knowledge of their roles is discussed with a focus on four tissues: lung, mammary, cardiovascular, and kidney. While many studies indicate a role for "axon guidance" cues in regulating cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions during organogenesis, there is accumulating evidence that they also contribute to tissue development by regulating the transcription and translation of genes encoding key morphogenetic factors.
Hinck
Lindsay
L
Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA. hinck@biology.ucsc.edu
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000196:embryology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000196:embryology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis; D005810:Multigene Family; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D000075388:Netrin-1; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D039961:Semaphorins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D000075388:Netrin-1