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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
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Netrin-1: when a neuronal guidance cue turns out to be a regulator of tumorigenesis

P Mehlen1, C Furne

  • 1Apoptosis, Cancer and Development Laboratory- Equipe labellisée La Ligue, CNRS FRE2870, Lyon, France. mehlen@lyon.fnclcc.fr

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|September 15, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Netrin-1 acts as a neuronal guidance cue and a survival factor by interacting with DCC and UNC5H receptors. This dual role helps reconcile its functions in nervous system development and tumorigenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Netrin-1 is crucial for neuronal navigation via DCC and UNC5H receptors.
  • DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer) was initially identified as a tumor suppressor gene.
  • DCC is a dependence receptor, inducing apoptosis without its ligand.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the identification and functions of netrin-1 and its receptors.
  • To explore netrin-1's signaling pathways in the presence and absence of ligand.
  • To discuss netrin-1's roles in neural development, neovascularization, adhesion, and tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of netrin-1 and its receptors.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways.
  • Discussion of netrin-1's involvement in various biological processes.

Main Results:

  • Netrin-1 acts as both a chemotropic factor for neurons and a survival factor.
  • Dependence receptors like DCC induce apoptosis in ligand absence.
  • Netrin-1's dual role impacts nervous system development and cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Netrin-1 is a multifunctional molecule with critical roles in neural development and cancer.
  • Understanding netrin-1 signaling is key to exploring its therapeutic potential.
  • Netrin-1's involvement in neovascularization and adhesion warrants further investigation.

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