title: Semaphorin 4D regulates gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone-1 neuronal migration through PlexinB1-Met complex.
abstract: In mammals, reproduction is dependent on specific neurons secreting the neuropeptide gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH-1). These cells originate during embryonic development in the olfactory placode and migrate into the forebrain, where they become integral members of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This migratory process is regulated by a wide range of guidance cues, which allow GnRH-1 cells to travel over long distances to reach their appropriate destinations. The Semaphorin4D (Sema4D) receptor, PlexinB1, is highly expressed in the developing olfactory placode, but its function in this context is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that PlexinB1-deficient mice exhibit a migratory defect of GnRH-1 neurons, resulting in reduction of this cell population in the adult brain. Moreover, Sema4D promotes directional migration in GnRH-1 cells by coupling PlexinB1 with activation of the Met tyrosine kinase (hepatocyte growth factor receptor). This work identifies a function for PlexinB1 during brain development and provides evidence that Sema4D controls migration of GnRH-1 neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Animal Biology, University of Turin, Turin 10123, Italy. paolo.giacobini@unito.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giacobini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morello
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferraris
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corso
authors.forename: Junia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penachioni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamagnone
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasolo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology*; D019556:COS Cells; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D002633:Chemotaxis; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009666:Nose / Q000196:embryology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011247:Pregnancy; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C093224:CD100 antigen; D039961:Semaphorins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone