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Semaphorin regulation of cellular morphology
Tracy S Tran1, Alex L Kolodkin, Rajnish Bharadwaj
1The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 2, 2007
Summary
Semaphorin proteins guide cell movement and shape tissues, impacting development and health. Understanding their complex signaling reveals insights into organogenesis and disease.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Semaphorins were initially identified as repulsive cues for neuronal guidance.
- Emerging research highlights their broader roles in tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted roles of semaphorins beyond neuronal guidance.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying semaphorin function in diverse cell types.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of semaphorin receptor complexes and intracellular signaling pathways.
- Investigating semaphorin involvement in neural and vascular system development.
Main Results:
- Semaphorins influence cellular morphology through both long- and short-range signaling.
- Diverse receptor-ligand interactions and signaling cascades mediate cell-specific responses.
- Semaphorins are crucial for organogenesis, function, and disease processes.
Conclusions:
- Semaphorins are key regulators of morphogenesis and homeostasis across various tissues.
- Understanding semaphorin signaling provides insights into organ development and disease pathology.
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