The Versatile Roles of “Axon Guidance” Cues in Tissue Morphogenesis

• Published in: Developmental Cell Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 783 - 793
• Main Author: Hinck, Lindsay
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2004
• Subjects: Animals; Axons - metabolism; Cardiovascular System - embryology; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Kidney - embryology; Lung - embryology; Lung - metabolism; Mammary Glands, Animal - embryology; Models, Biological; Morphogenesis; Multigene Family; Nerve Growth Factors - physiology; Netrin-1; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Semaphorins - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
• ISSN: 1534-5807; 1878-1551
• DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2004.11.002

The Netrin, Slit, Semaphorin, and Ephrin families of secreted proteins were originally characterized in the nervous system as guidance cues for axons; however, recent studies demonstrate that many members of these families contribute to the development of a variety of organs. Here, the current knowledge of their roles is discussed with a focus on four tissues: lung, mammary, cardiovascular, and kidney. While many studies indicate a role for “axon guidance” cues in regulating cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions during organogenesis, there is accumulating evidence that they also contribute to tissue development by regulating the transcription and translation of genes encoding key morphogenetic factors.