轴突导向因子semaphorin家族及其信号通路研究进展

Progress in research on axon guidance semahporins and their signaling pathway

在神经系统发育过程中,神经元的轴突只有精确的抵达其目标位置才能形成具有正常生理功能的神经网络。目前至少已经确认了4类起重要作用的轴突导向因子家族:sem aphorins,slits,netrins和ehprins。其中sem a-phorins是一个至少包含20个成员的大家族,它的成员都是分泌型或与膜结合的蛋白。sem aphorin的受体主要包括neurop ilins和神经丛素(p lexins),neurop ilins可作为sem aphorin的结合位点,而p lexins则起信号转换器的作用。RhoGTP酶和CRMPs被认为是sem aphorins信号通路中的重要物质,参与调节sem aphorin引起的细胞骨架的改变。本文将对sem aphorin家族成员的结构、功能及其胞内信号转导通路进行综述。

In the development of nervous system, the generation of functional neuronal network requires the precise navigation of axons to their appropriate targets. Now, at least four families of guidance molecules with important roles have been identified： semaphorins,slits, netrins and ehprins. Semaphorins is a large family of secreted or transmembrane proreins, comprising at least 20 members. The main i：eceptors of semaphorins are neuropilins and plexins. The former act as binding unit for semaphorins while the latter serve as signal transducer. Rho GTPases and CRMPs are regarded as the important components of semaphorins＇ signaling pathway, mediating the changes of cytoskeleton caused by semaphorins. In this review, a summary of the structure, functions and signaling pathway of semaphofin family proteins is given.