Study on the functions of semaphorins and their receptors in neuron network formation

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Axons are navigated along particular paths towards their definite targets, after interacting with various attractive or repulsive guidance cues. Semaphorin is a family of molecules that regulate direction growth of axons. Neuropilins and plexins are semaphorin receptors.In this study, we performed the following 5 projects in the mice and nematode C.elegans, and clarified molecular roles of semaphorins and their receptors in the establishment of neuron networks. In addition, we have found that semaphorins and their receptors played important roles in neuronal cell migration, cardiovascular development and morphogenesis of epithelial tissues, as well as neuron network formation.1) Identification of novel plexins in the mice.2) Production of plexin-A mutant mice by targeted gene disruption, and study on their function in vivo.3) Identification and characterization of novel class 6 semaphorins.4) Study of the function of semaphorin signals, by production of the neuropilin-1/neuropilin-2 double knockout mice5) Study on plexin function in nematode C.eleganse.