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Updated: Apr 17, 2026

In Vitro Analysis of PDZ-dependent CFTR Macromolecular Signaling Complexes
Published on: August 13, 2012
Cysteines in the neuropilin-2 MAM domain modulate receptor homooligomerization and signal transduction
Rachael Barton1, Alyssa Driscoll2, Samuel Flores3
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
Neuropilins (NRPs) are transmembrane receptors involved in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and neuronal development as well as in cancer metastasis. Previous studies suggest that NRPs exist in heteromeric complexes with vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and VEGF receptors as well as plexins and semaphorins. We determined via site-directed mutagenesis and bioluminescent resonance energy transfer assays that a conserved cysteine (C711) in the Danio rerio NRP2a MAM (meprin, A-5 protein, and protein tyrosine phosphatase μ) domain modulates NRP2a homomeric interactions. Mutation of this residue also disrupts semaphorin-3F binding in NRP2a-transfected COS-7 cells and prevents the NRP2a overexpression effects in a zebrafish vascular model. Collectively, our results indicate the MAM domain plays an important role in defining the NRP2 homodimer structure, which is important for semaphorin-dependent signal transduction via NRP2.
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