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Identification of a member of mouse semaphorin family
S Inagaki1, T Furuyama, Y Iwahashi
1Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, Osaka University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
Grasshopper semaphorin I (Sema I) and its related proteins, chick collapsin and mouse Sema III contribute to the axon guidance by their repellent actions [5,9,12]. We have identified a member of semaphorin gene family from the mouse brain and named it M-Sema F. The N-terminal encodes a semaphorin domain that is similar between Sema I-III [6] followed by a single putative immunoglobulin-like domain, a transmembrane domain, and a proline-rich intracellular domain. M-Sema F mRNA is expressed widely in the nervous tissues during development. These suggest that M-Sema F is a transmembrane member of the semaphorin family of the vertebrate which may function in the developing neuronal network.
Insights
Researchers identified M-Sema F, a novel transmembrane semaphoring protein in mouse brains. This protein is widely expressed in nervous tissues and may play a role in developing neuronal networks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Semaphorins are crucial for axon guidance, acting as repellent cues.
- Known semaphorins like Grasshopper semaphorin I (Sema I), chick collapsin, and mouse Sema III are involved in neural development.
- Understanding the diversity and function of semaphorin family members is essential for comprehending neuronal network formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel semaphorin family members in the mammalian nervous system.
- To investigate the structure and expression pattern of a newly identified mouse semaphorin, M-Sema F.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify novel semaphorin genes in mouse brain.
- Molecular cloning and sequencing to determine the full-length cDNA of M-Sema F.
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze M-Sema F mRNA expression in various mouse tissues during development.
Main Results:
- A novel semaphorin gene, M-Sema F, was identified in the mouse brain.
- M-Sema F encodes a transmembrane protein with a conserved semaphorin domain, an immunoglobulin-like domain, a transmembrane domain, and a proline-rich intracellular region.
- M-Sema F mRNA exhibited widespread expression in nervous tissues throughout embryonic and postnatal development.
Conclusions:
- M-Sema F represents a novel transmembrane semaphorin in vertebrates.
- The expression pattern suggests M-Sema F is involved in the development of the vertebrate nervous system.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific functions of M-Sema F in axon guidance and neuronal network formation.
