Semaphorins A and E act as antagonists of neuropilin-1 and agonists of neuropilin-2 receptors

Nat Neurosci. 1998 Oct;1(6):487-93. doi: 10.1038/2203.

Abstract

Neuropilin-1 (NP-1) has been identified as a necessary component of a semaphorin D (SemD) receptor that repulses dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axons during development. SemA and SemE are related to SemD and bind to NP-1, but do not repulse DRG axons. By expressing NP-1 in retinal neurons and NP-2 in DRG neurons, we demonstrate that neuropilins are sufficient to determine the functional specificity of semaphorin responsiveness. SemA and SemE block SemD binding to NP-1 and abolish SemD repulsion in axons expressing NP-1. SemA and SemE seem to have a newly discovered protein antagonist capacity at NP-1 receptors, whereas they act as agonists at receptors containing NP-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / pharmacology
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Chick Embryo / cytology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / drug effects
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glycoproteins / pharmacology
  • Growth Cones / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Nerve Growth Factors / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / agonists*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / pharmacology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neuropilin-1
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / drug effects
  • Semaphorin-3A

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • SEMA3A protein, human
  • Sema3a protein, mouse
  • Semaphorin-3A
  • semaphorin A(V)
  • Neuropilin-1