The SEMA3A gene is a member of the semaphorin family and encodes a protein with an Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain, a PSI domain and a Sema domain. This secreted Sema3A protein can function as either a chemorepulsive agent, inhibiting axonal outgrowth, or as a chemoattractive agent, stimulating the growth of apical dendrites. In both cases, the protein is vital for normal neuronal pattern development.[3]
Semaphorin-3A is secreted by neurons and surrounding tissue to guide migrating cells and axons in the developing nervous system. Axon pathfinding is the process by which neurons follow very precise paths, sends out axons, and react to specific chemical environments to reach the correct endpoint. The guidance is critical for the precise formation of neurons and the surrounding vasculature. Guidance cues, such as Sema3A, induce the collapse and paralysis of neuronal growth cones during development of the nervous system.
This guidance cue for axons of neurons is signaled through receptor complexes containing Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and a co-receptor.[4][5][6] One of the first identified intracellular messenger required for the growth cone-collapse induced by Sema3A is the CRMP protein called CRMP2.
In addition to its role in the nervous system, Sema3A also acts as an inhibitor of angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels develop.[7]
Increased expression of Sema3A is associated with schizophrenia and is seen in a variety of human tumor cell lines. Also, aberrant release of this protein is associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.[3][9]
↑Kolodkin AL, Matthes DJ, Goodman CS (Jan 1994). "The semaphorin genes encode a family of transmembrane and secreted growth cone guidance molecules". Cell. 75 (7): 1389–99. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(93)90625-Z. PMID8269517.
↑Püschel AW, Adams RH, Betz H (Jun 1995). "Murine semaphorin D/collapsin is a member of a diverse gene family and creates domains inhibitory for axonal extension". Neuron. 14 (5): 941–8. doi:10.1016/0896-6273(95)90332-1. PMID7748561.
↑Moret F, Renaudot C, Bozon M, Castellani V (December 2007). "Semaphorin and neuropilin co-expression in motoneurons sets axon sensitivity to environmental semaphorin sources during motor axon pathfinding". Development. 134 (24): 4491–501. doi:10.1242/dev.011452. PMID18039974.
↑Good PF, Alapat D, Hsu A, Chu C, Perl D, Wen X, Burstein DE, Kohtz DS (November 2004). "A role for semaphorin 3A signaling in degeneration of hippocampal neurons during Alzheimer's disease". J. Neurochem. 91 (3): 716–36. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2004.02766.x. PMID15485501.
↑ 10.010.1De Winter F, Vo T, Stam FJ, Wisman LA, Bär PR, Niclou SP, van Muiswinkel FL, Verhaagen J (2006). "The expression of the chemorepellent Semaphorin 3A is selectively induced in terminal Schwann cells of a subset of neuromuscular synapses that display limited anatomical plasticity and enhanced vulnerability in motor neuron disease". Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 32 (1–2): 102–17. doi:10.1016/j.mcn.2006.03.002. PMID16677822.
↑Frey D, Schneider C, Xu L, Borg J, Spooren W, Caroni P (April 2000). "Early and selective loss of neuromuscular synapse subtypes with low sprouting competence in motoneuron diseases". J. Neurosci. 20 (7): 2534–42. PMID10729333.
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