title: Netrins: versatile extracellular cues with diverse functions.
abstract: Netrins are secreted proteins that were first identified as guidance cues, directing cell and axon migration during neural development. Subsequent findings have demonstrated that netrins can influence the formation of multiple tissues, including the vasculature, lung, pancreas, muscle and mammary gland, by mediating cell migration, cell-cell interactions and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. Recent evidence also implicates the ongoing expression of netrins and netrin receptors in the maintenance of cell-cell organisation in mature tissues. Here, we review the mechanisms involved in netrin signalling in vertebrate and invertebrate systems and discuss the functions of netrin signalling during the development of neural and non-neural tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lai Wing Sun
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D000075389:DCC Receptor; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000075386:Netrin Receptors; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000075389:DCC Receptor; C501909:DCC protein, human; C110833:DSCAM protein, human; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000075386:Netrin Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C091279:neogenin