Plexin | |||||||||
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Identifiers | |||||||||
Symbol | PLXN | ||||||||
Pfam | PF08337 | ||||||||
InterPro | IPR031148 | ||||||||
Membranome | 17 | ||||||||
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A plexin is a protein which acts as a receptor for semaphorin family signaling proteins. [1] [2] [3] It is classically known for its expression on the surface of axon growth cones and involvement in signal transduction to steer axon growth away from the source of semaphorin. [1] [4] Plexin also has implications in development of other body systems by activating GTPase enzymes to induce a number of intracellular biochemical changes leading to a variety of downstream effects. [5] [6]
All plexins have an extracellular SEMA domain at their N-terminus. [3] This is a structural motif common among all semaphorins and plexins and is responsible for this binding of semaphorin dimers, which are the native conformation for these ligands in vivo. [3] [7] This is followed by alternating plexin, semaphorin, and integrin (PSI) domains and immunoglobulin-like, plexin, and transcription factors (IPT) domains. [3] [8] Each of these is named for the proteins in which their structure is conserved. [9] [10] Collectively, the extracellular region resembles a curved stalk projecting in a clockwise direction. [8]
Before bindings its semaphorin dimer ligand, associations between the extracellular domains of pre-formed plexin dimers keeps their intracellular domains segregated and inactive. [11] [12] This allows for co-localization of plexin dimers to be primed for binding of semaphorin dimers and activation of intracellular machinery. [3]
Highly conserved intracellular domains consisting of a bipartite segment which functions as a GTPase-Activating Protein (GAP). [3] Plexin is the only known receptor molecule to have a GAP domain. [7] In the inactive state, these two sections are separated by a Rho-GTPase binding domain (RBD). [7] When the RBD bind to a Rnd-family Rho-GTPases along with plexin dimerization and semaphoring binding, the intracellular segment undergoes conformational changes which allow the separate GAP domains to interact and become active in turning Rap family Rho-GTPases. [7] [13] These GTPases can have a number of downstream effects, but in particular to Plexin expressed on axonal growth cones, the concentration the secondary messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) increases within the cell. [5] [6]
Nine genes have been identified which divide plexins into four subclasses based on structure and homology. [3] These genes include:
Class A plexins interact with neuropilin co-receptor proteins to strengthen semaphorin binding interactions without altering the mode of binding. [4] [7] [14] The structure of the Class B plexins has an additional extracellular site for cleavage by convertases, enzymes which modify plexin precursor polypeptides into their final peptide sequence, as well as a structural PDZ interaction motif on its C-terminus.[ citation needed ] C-class plexins have fewer structural Methionine-Related Sequences (MRS) and IPT domains. D-class plexins have an additional modification in one of the MRS domains [8] [15]
Plexin receptors largely act to signal the binding of semaphorin signaling proteins in a short-distance inhibitory manner. Each class of plexin has a range of specificity, meaning they could bind specifically to one or more semaphorin isomers. Plexins also have varying effects on development depending on their expression in different tissue types. Plexin receptors have implications in neural development and axon growth guidance, angiogenesis and heart development, skeletal and kidney morphogenesis, and in the immune system. [15] [16] Genetic knockout of plexins have shown to be lethal at embryonic stages due to severe developmental defects in body systems regulated by semaphorin-plexin signaling. [7] Malfunction of the plexin signaling pathway has been implicated in human diseases including neurological disorders and cancers. [14] [17] [18] [19]
In a genome-wide association study, plexins, which are mutated in several monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders, were significantly enriched for associations with high IQ. [21]
Axon guidance is a subfield of neural development concerning the process by which neurons send out axons to reach their correct targets. Axons often follow very precise paths in the nervous system, and how they manage to find their way so accurately is an area of ongoing research.
A neurite or neuronal process refers to any projection from the cell body of a neuron. This projection can be either an axon or a dendrite. The term is frequently used when speaking of immature or developing neurons, especially of cells in culture, because it can be difficult to tell axons from dendrites before differentiation is complete.
The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) was first identified in 1973 as the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) before discovery that p75NTR bound other neurotrophins equally well as nerve growth factor. p75NTR is a neurotrophic factor receptor. Neurotrophic factor receptors bind Neurotrophins including Nerve growth factor, Neurotrophin-3, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and Neurotrophin-4. All neurotrophins bind to p75NTR. This also includes the immature pro-neurotrophin forms. Neurotrophic factor receptors, including p75NTR, are responsible for ensuring a proper density to target ratio of developing neurons, refining broader maps in development into precise connections. p75NTR is involved in pathways that promote neuronal survival and neuronal death.
Semaphorins are a class of secreted and membrane proteins that were originally identified as axonal growth cone guidance molecules. They primarily act as short-range inhibitory signals and signal through multimeric receptor complexes. Semaphorins are usually cues to deflect axons from inappropriate regions, especially important in the neural system development. The major class of proteins that act as their receptors are called plexins, with neuropilins as their co-receptors in many cases. The main receptors for semaphorins are plexins, which have established roles in regulating Rho-family GTPases. Recent work shows that plexins can also influence R-Ras, which, in turn, can regulate integrins. Such regulation is probably a common feature of semaphorin signalling and contributes substantially to our understanding of semaphorin biology.
Neuropilin is a protein receptor active in neurons.
VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) are receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). There are three main subtypes of VEGFR, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Depending on alternative splicing, they may be membrane-bound (mbVEGFR) or soluble (sVEGFR).
Neuropilin 2 (NRP2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NRP2 gene.
The Sema domain is a structural domain of semaphorins, which are a large family of secreted and transmembrane proteins, some of which function as repellent signals during axon guidance. Sema domains also occur in the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, Plexin-A3 and in viral proteins.
Neuropilin-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NRP1 gene. In humans, the neuropilin 1 gene is located at 10p11.22. This is one of two human neuropilins.
Semaphorin-3A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SEMA3A gene.
Semaphorin-4D (SEMA4D) also known as Cluster of Differentiation 100 (CD100), is a protein of the semaphorin family that in humans is encoded by the SEMA4D gene.
Plexin B1 is a protein of the plexin family that in humans is encoded by the PLXNB1 gene.
Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase mu is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PTPRM gene.
Semaphorin-3F is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SEMA3F gene.
Rnd1 is a small signaling G protein, and is a member of the Rnd subgroup of the Rho family of GTPases. It is encoded by the gene RND1.
Plexin-A1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PLXNA1 gene.
Plexin-A2 is a protein that in humans is coded by the PLXNA2 gene.
Plexin-A4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PLXNA4 gene.
Collapsin response mediator protein family or CRMP family consists of five intracellular phosphoproteins of similar molecular size and high (50–70%) amino acid sequence identity. CRMPs are predominantly expressed in the nervous system during development and play important roles in axon formation from neurites and in growth cone guidance and collapse through their interactions with microtubules. Cleaved forms of CRMPs have also been linked to neuron degeneration after trauma induced injury.
The growth cone is a highly dynamic structure of the developing neuron, changing directionality in response to different secreted and contact-dependent guidance cues; it navigates through the developing nervous system in search of its target. The migration of the growth cone is mediated through the interaction of numerous trophic and tropic factors; netrins, slits, ephrins and semaphorins are four well-studied tropic cues (Fig.1). The growth cone is capable of modifying its sensitivity to these guidance molecules as it migrates to its target; this sensitivity regulation is an important theme seen throughout development.