Structures of Axon Guidance Molecules and their Neuronal Receptors

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the structures of axon guidance molecules and their neuronal receptors. The Eph/ephrin ligand/receptor family is, by far, best structurally characterized system. Recent structural biochemical studies semaphorins Nogo receptor, a receptor that mediates repulsive signals several myelin-associated inhibitory proteins have been reviewed. Eph receptors ephrins are divided into two subclasses (A B) based on sequence conservation binding affinities. Ephs also lead to transduction reverse signal ephrin-expressing cell. ephrin protein broadly expressed during development but most abundant in nervous system and, lesser extent, vascular endothelium specialized epithelia. stoichiometry eph/ephrin complex. recent receptors, ephrins, complex suggest likely mechanism for initiation bi-directional signaling: Prior cell-cell contact, loosely pre-clustered at cell surface, cholesterol-rich lipid rafts.