Yoshio Goshima1,2, Yukio Sasaki1, Takashi Nakayama3,
Takaaki Ito4 and Toru Kimura5
Departments of 1Pharmacology, 3Biochemistry and
4Pathology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine,
Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
2CREST,ﾊJapan Science and Technology Corporation (JST)
5SumitomoﾊPharmaceuticals Research Center, 3-1-98, Kasugade-Naka,
Konohana, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
Abstract: The semaphorin family comprises secreted and transmembrane
signaling proteins that function in the nervous, immune, respiratory and
cardiovascular systems. Sema3A, a secreted type of semaphorin, is now recognized
as the most potent repulsive molecule inhibiting or repelling neurite outgrowth.
The biological actions of Sema3A are mediated via neuropilin (Npn)-1, a
receptor or one of the components of a receptor complex for Sema3A. Although
the molecular mechanisms of Sema3A-Npn-1 signaling are largely unknown,
a pertussis toxin-sensitive trimeric Gﾊprotein(s), Rac-1, collapsin response
mediator protein (CRMP), cyclic nucleotides and tyrosine kinase(s) have
been implicated as essential and/or modulatory components of these processes.
As repulsive molecules could be impediments to axon outgrowth, determining
how these repulsive molecules exert their actions has the potential of uncovering
new therapeutic approaches to injury and/or degeneration of neuronal tissues.
Keywords: Semaphorin, Neuropilin, Axon guidance, Growth cone, Neuroregeneration