Neuropilin-2 is required in vivo for selective axon guidance responses to secreted semaphorins

Neuron. 2000 Jan;25(1):29-41. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80869-7.

Abstract

Neuropilins are receptors for class 3 secreted semaphorins, most of which can function as potent repulsive axon guidance cues. We have generated mice with a targeted deletion in the neuropilin-2 (Npn-2) locus. Many Npn-2 mutant mice are viable into adulthood, allowing us to assess the role of Npn-2 in axon guidance events throughout neural development. Npn-2 is required for the organization and fasciculation of several cranial nerves and spinal nerves. In addition, several major fiber tracts in the brains of adult mutant mice are either severely disorganized or missing. Our results show that Npn-2 is a selective receptor for class 3 semaphorins in vivo and that Npn-1 and Npn-2 are required for development of an overlapping but distinct set of CNS and PNS projections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Axons / chemistry
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology
  • COS Cells
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Habenula / chemistry
  • Habenula / embryology
  • Habenula / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal / chemistry
  • Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal / embryology
  • Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal / pathology
  • Motor Neurons / chemistry
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Motor Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuropilin-1
  • Peripheral Nervous System / chemistry
  • Peripheral Nervous System / embryology
  • Peripheral Nervous System / pathology
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Rats
  • Semaphorin-3A
  • Spinal Nerves / chemistry
  • Spinal Nerves / pathology
  • Spinal Nerves / physiology
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / chemistry
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / embryology
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / pathology
  • Thalamus / chemistry
  • Thalamus / embryology
  • Thalamus / pathology
  • Trochlear Nerve / chemistry
  • Trochlear Nerve / embryology
  • Trochlear Nerve / pathology

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Sema3a protein, mouse
  • Sema3a protein, rat
  • Semaphorin-3A
  • Neuropilin-1