Semaphorin signaling: progress made and promises ahead
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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
Published on: September 29, 2016
Yeping Zhou1, Rou-Afza F Gunput, R Jeroen Pasterkamp
1Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Semaphorins were initially characterized according to their role in repulsive axon guidance but are now recognized as crucial regulators of morphogenesis and homeostasis over a wide range of organ systems. The pleiotropic nature of semaphorin signaling and its implication in human disease has triggered an enormous interest in the receptor and intracellular signaling mechanisms that direct the cell-type-specific and diverse biological effects of semaphorins. Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of semaphorin signaling link integrin and semaphorin signaling pathways, identify novel ligand-receptor interactions and provide insight into the cellular and molecular bases of bifunctional and reverse signaling events. These discoveries could lead to therapeutic advances in axonal regeneration, cancer and other diseases.
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