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Semaphorins in cancer.

Gera Neufeld¹, Niva Shraga-Heled, Tali Lange

¹Cancer and Vascular Biology Research Center, Rappaport Research Institute in the Medical Sciences, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. gera@techunix.technion.ac.il

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library

|December 1, 2004

Summary

Semaphorins are proteins involved in cell development and migration. Some semaphorins inhibit tumor growth by blocking blood vessel formation, while others may promote it.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology
Cancer Biology

Background:

Semaphorins are a large gene family with diverse roles in development, including axon guidance and cell migration.
Vertebrate semaphorins (classes 3-7) interact with plexin and neuropilin receptors.
Class-3 semaphorins, like semaphorin-3B and semaphorin-3F, are implicated in tumor suppression.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the roles of semaphorins, their receptors, and signaling pathways.
To explore the dual role of semaphorins in tumorigenesis and tumor progression.

Main Methods:

Literature review of semaphorin function and signaling.
Analysis of evidence linking semaphorins to cancer development.

Main Results:

Certain semaphorins (e.g., semaphorin-3A, semaphorin-3F) inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Other semaphorins (e.g., semaphorin-3C, semaphorin-4D) may promote tumorigenesis or progression.
Semaphorins modulate cancer cell adhesion and migration.

Conclusions:

Semaphorins exhibit context-dependent roles in cancer, acting as both tumor suppressors and promoters.
Understanding semaphorin signaling is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.