| MPB4 | |
| Project ID |  MPB4 [Protein] |
| Project Theme | Structural and functional analysis of semaphorins and their receptors |
| Project Theme (short) | Semaphorins & their receptors |
| Principal Investigator | Atsushi Kumanogoh |
| Affiliation | Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University |
| Backgrounds | - Semaphorin family proteins have a variety of roles in many processes including nerve regeneration, angiogenesis and cancer progression - Therefore, functional elucidation of semaphorins could lead to developments of therapeutic drugs for various diseases |
| Highlights | - We have succeeded in the structural analyses of Sema6A in complex with its receptor plexin A2 - The major roles of semaphorins in immune functions and vascular developments have been revealed - Semaphorin3A was found to alleviate skin lesions and scratching behavior in atopic dermatitis model mice |
| Outline | Semaphorin family proteins are a class of secreted and membrane proteins that act as axonal growth cone guidance molecules. More than 30 semaphorins have been identified and are characterised by a specific amino acid sequence called the sema domain. The binding of semaphorins with their specific receptors leads to intercellular signaling. Semaphorins are very versatile. Their discovery was in regards to axon guidance, but since then, it has been discovered that semaphorins have a variety of roles in many processes. They not only guide axons in development, but also have major roles in immune functions and the development of bones. Therefore, functional elucidation of semaphorins could lead to developments of therapeutic drugs for various diseases. In this project, we will pursue comprehensive structural analyses of semaphorin-receptor complexes and find compounds that promote or inhibit semphorin activities based on the structural knowledge. |
| Review | Nat. Immunol. J. Clin. Immunol. Cell. Mol. Immunol. Proc. Jpn. Acad., Ser. B, Phys. Biol. Sci. FEBS Lett. |
| CSML File | MPB4.csml |