Elucidation of the universal signal transductions of axonal guidance factors

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

R-Ras is a member of the Ras family of small GTPases, and it mediates inside-out activation of integrins and plays a central role in positive-feedback between cell adhesion and integrin activation. On the other hand, the repulsive guidance molecule semaphorin receptor, Plexin functions as a GTPase-activating protein for R-Ras, inducing inactivation of R-Ras. The seama-Plex pathway blocks the positive-feedback, inducing efficient integrin inactivation and loss of cell adhesion. However, precise molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this project, we identified some molecules which function upstream and downstream of R-Ras.