Neuropilin-2 Antibody #89189

Class 3 secreted semaphorin (Sema3A) is a chemorepellent that acts upon a wide variety of axons. As such, it induces a dramatic redistribution and depolymerization of actin filaments that results in growth cone collapse. Plexins are single-pass, transmembrane signaling proteins encompassing Plexin A1, A2, A3, and A4. Plexins form a complex with neuropilin-1 and -2 and the cell adhesion protein L1 to form a functional semaphorin receptor (1,2). The GTPase Rnd1 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of Plexin A1 to trigger cytoskeletal collapse. In contrast, the GTPase RhoD blocks Rnd1-mediated Plexin A1 activation and repulsion of sympathetic axons by Sema3A (3).

Neuropilin-2, a single-pass, transmembrane glycoprotein, can also bind to VEGF165 and VEGF145, but not VEGF121. Thus, in addition to neuronal guidance, neuropilin-2 plays a role in angiogenesis and cardiovascular functions (4). Although neuropilin-2 has been linked to tumor biology (e.g., pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and neuroblastoma), its role in tumor pathogenesis is still under investigation (4,5).