Semaphorin

Semaphorin
Identifiers
SymbolSemaphorin
InterProIPR027231
CDDcd04979
Membranome71

Semaphorins are a class of secreted and membrane proteins that were originally identified as axonal growth cone guidance molecules. They primarily act as short-range inhibitory signals and signal through multimeric receptor complexes.[1][2] Semaphorins are usually cues to deflect axons from inappropriate regions, especially important in the neural system development. The major class of proteins that act as their receptors are called plexins, with neuropilins as their co-receptors in many cases. The main receptors for semaphorins are plexins, which have established roles in regulating Rho-family GTPases. Recent work shows that plexins can also influence R-Ras, which, in turn, can regulate integrins. Such regulation is probably a common feature of semaphorin signalling and contributes substantially to our understanding of semaphorin biology.

Every semaphorin is characterised by the expression of a specific region of about 500 amino acids called the sema domain.

Semaphorins were named after the English word Semaphore, which originated from Greek, meaning sign-bearer.[3]

  1. ^ Kong Y, Janssen BJ, Malinauskas T, Vangoor VR, Coles CH, Kaufmann R, Ni T, Gilbert RJ, Padilla-Parra S, Pasterkamp RJ, Jones EY (2016). "Structural Basis for Plexin Activation and Regulation". Neuron. 91 (8): 1–13. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2016.06.018. PMC 4980550. PMID 27397516.
  2. ^ Janssen BJ, Malinauskas T, Weir GA, Cader MZ, Siebold C, Jones EY (2012). "Neuropilins lock secreted semaphorins onto plexins in a ternary signaling complex". Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. 19 (12): 1293–1299. doi:10.1038/nsmb.2416. PMC 3590443. PMID 23104057.
  3. ^ Kolodkin, Alex L.; Matthes, David J.; Goodman, Corey S. (31 December 1993). "The semaphorin genes encode a family of transmembrane and secreted growth cone guidance molecules". Cell. 75 (7): 1389–1399. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(93)90625-Z. PMID 8269517. S2CID 21047504.