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Semaphorin 4D activates the MAPK pathway downstream of plexin-B1
Jennifer Aurandt1, Weiquan Li, Kun-Liang Guan
1Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
The Biochemical Journal
|September 29, 2005
Summary
Semaphorin 4D activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. This signaling requires plexin-B1
Area of Science:
- Cellular signaling
- Molecular biology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Semaphorins are proteins crucial for axon guidance in the nervous system.
- Their roles extend to vascular and lung development.
- Intracellular pathways activated by semaphorins are increasingly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intracellular signaling pathways initiated by semaphorin 4D.
- To determine if semaphorin 4D activates the MAPK pathway.
- To elucidate the role of plexin-B1 and RhoA in this activation.
Main Methods:
- Stimulation of cells with semaphorin 4D.
- Analysis of plexin-B1 C-terminus involvement.
- Assessment of RhoA activation.
Main Results:
- Semaphorin 4D was found to activate the MAPK pathway.
- This activation is dependent on the C-terminus of plexin-B1.
- RhoA activation is also a requirement for MAPK pathway activation.
Conclusions:
- Semaphorin 4D utilizes the MAPK pathway for signaling.
- The C-terminus of plexin-B1 and RhoA are critical components of this semaphorin 4D-induced signaling cascade.