Function
Netrins (Net) direct cell and axon migration during development. Netrins are chemotropic. The growing axon moves either toward or away from netrin concentration. Netrins influence the formation of a variety of tissues. They act as chemoattractants for some cell types and chemorepellent for other types[1].
- Netrin-1 is a secreted protein while netrin-G2 is GPI-anchored membrane protein.
- Netrin-4 promotes neurite elongation at low concentration and inhibits neurite elongation at high concentration[2].
- Netrin-G1 promotes the growth of dorsal thalamic axons.
Relevance
Netrin-1 is over-expressed in glioblastoma tumor[3]. Netrin-1 is a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases[4].
Structural highlights
The N-terminal of netrin-1 is homologous to the N-terminal type I domain of laminin (LN) followed by 3 cysteine-rich epidermal growth factor repeats.
- ↑ Moore SW, Tessier-Lavigne M, Kennedy TE. Netrins and their receptors. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;621:17-31. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-76715-4_2. PMID:18269208 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76715-4_2
- ↑ Nacht M, St Martin TB, Byrne A, Klinger KW, Teicher BA, Madden SL, Jiang Y. Netrin-4 regulates angiogenic responses and tumor cell growth. Exp Cell Res. 2009 Mar 10;315(5):784-94. PMID:19094984 doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.11.018
- ↑ Ylivinkka I, Hu Y, Chen P, Rantanen V, Hautaniemi S, Nyman TA, Keski-Oja J, Hyytiainen M. Netrin-1-induced activation of Notch signaling mediates glioblastoma cell invasion. J Cell Sci. 2013 Jun 1;126(Pt 11):2459-69. doi: 10.1242/jcs.120022. Epub 2013 Apr, 2. PMID:23549787 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jcs.120022
- ↑ Layne K, Ferro A, Passacquale G. Netrin-1 as a novel therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease: to activate or inhibit? Cardiovasc Res. 2015 Sep 1;107(4):410-9. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvv201. Epub 2015 Jul, 24. PMID:26209250 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvv201