Plexin

Protein

Plexin

Plexin extracellular domain

Identifiers
Symbol| PLXN
Pfam| PF08337
InterPro| IPR031148
Membranome| 17
| Available protein structures:

Pfam | structures / ECOD
PDB| RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum| structure summary

A plexin is a protein which acts as a receptor for semaphorin family signaling proteins.[1][2][3] It is classically known for its expression on the surface of axon growth cones and involvement in signal transduction to steer axon growth away from the source of semaphorin.[1][4] Plexin also has implications in development of other body systems by activating GTPase enzymes to induce a number of intracellular biochemical changes leading to a variety of downstream effects.[5][6]

## Structure

[edit]

### Extracellular

[edit]

All plexins have an extracellular SEMA domain at their N-terminus.[3] This is a structural motif common among all semaphorins and plexins and is responsible for this binding of semaphorin dimers, which are the native conformation for these ligands in vivo.[3][7] This is followed by alternating plexin, semaphorin, and integrin (PSI) domains and immunoglobulin-like, plexin, and transcription factors (IPT) domains.[3][8] Each of these is named for the proteins in which their structure is conserved.[9][10] Collectively, the extracellular region resembles a curved stalk projecting in a clockwise direction.[8]

Before bindings its semaphorin dimer ligand, associations between the extracellular domains of pre-formed plexin dimers keeps their intracellular domains segregated and inactive.[11][12] This allows for co-localization of plexin dimers to be primed for binding of semaphorin dimers and activation of intracellular machinery.[3]

### Intracellular

[edit]

Highly conserved intracellular domains consisting of a bipartite segment which functions as a GTPase-Activating Protein (GAP).[3] Plexin is the only known receptor molecule to have a GAP domain.[7] In the inactive state, these two sections are separated by a Rho-GTPase binding domain (RBD).[7] When the RBD bind to a Rnd-family Rho-GTPases along with plexin dimerization and semaphoring binding, the intracellular segment undergoes conformational changes which allow the separate GAP domains to interact and become active in turning Rap family Rho-GTPases.[7][13] These GTPases can have a number of downstream effects, but in particular to Plexin expressed on axonal growth cones, the concentration the secondary messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) increases within the cell.[5][6]

### Classes

[edit]

Nine genes have been identified which divide plexins into four subclasses based on structure and homology.[3] These genes include:

* Class A: PLXNA1, PLXNA2, PLXNA3, PLXNA4A
* Class B: PLXNB1, PLXNB2, PLXNB3
* Class C: PLXNC1
* Class D: PLXND1

Class A plexins interact with neuropilin co-receptor proteins to strengthen semaphorin binding interactions without altering the mode of binding.[4][7][14] The structure of the Class B plexins has an additional extracellular site for cleavage by convertases, enzymes which modify plexin precursor polypeptides into their final peptide sequence, as well as a structural PDZ interaction motif on its C-terminus.[citation needed] C-class plexins have fewer structural Methionine-Related Sequences (MRS) and IPT domains. D-class plexins have an additional modification in one of the MRS domains[8][15]

## Function

[edit]

Plexin receptors largely act to signal the binding of semaphorin signaling proteins in a short-distance inhibitory manner. Each class of plexin has a range of specificity, meaning they could bind specifically to one or more semaphorin isomers. Plexins also have varying effects on development depending on their expression in different tissue types. Plexin receptors have implications in neural development and axon growth guidance, angiogenesis and heart development, skeletal and kidney morphogenesis, and in the immune system.[15][16] Genetic knockout of plexins have shown to be lethal at embryonic stages due to severe developmental defects in body systems regulated by semaphorin-plexin signaling.[7] Malfunction of the plexin signaling pathway has been implicated in human diseases including neurological disorders and cancers.[14][17][18][19]

### Axon guidance

[edit]

Further information: Axon guidance

* Plexin receptors on axon growth cones receive local semaphorin signaling and impede growth in that direction.[16]
*       * Plexin activation on growth cones results in actin and microtubule polymer destabilization as well as clathrin-mediated endocytosis, resulting in retraction of growth cone projections.[20]

### Angiogenesis and heart development

[edit]

* PLXND1 is involved in guiding the growth of new blood vessels. Cells expressing Sema3E do not need additional vascularization. Developing vessels will have their growth towards these cells inhibited upon PLXND1 binding to Sema3E independent of Neuropilin.
* PLXNA2 and PLXND1 modulate proper development of cardiac structures.[15]

### Skeletal and kidney development

[edit]

* During development, PLXNA1 and PLXNA2 are expressed in chondrocytes and osteoblasts, implementing them in regulating bone homeostasis.
* PLXND1 has a role in the formation of vertebral bodies of the spinal column by signaling for proper fusing and splitting of the axial elements.
* PLXNB1 and PLXNB2 control branching of the ureter in the kidney by inhibiting and promoting it, respectively.[15]

### Immune system

[edit]

* PLXNA1 promotes dendritic and T cell proliferation.
* PLXNA4 inhibits T cell response, but promotes inflammatory cytokine production by macrophages.
* PLXNB1 promotes B cell survival, as well as macrophage recruitment.[15]

### Role in intelligence

[edit]

In a genome-wide association study, plexins, which are mutated in several monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders, were significantly enriched for associations with high IQ.[21]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, Hall WC, LaMantia AS, White LE (2012). Neuroscience (5th ed.). Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates. pp. 517–518. ISBN 978-0-87893-646-5. OCLC 754389847.
2. ^ Winberg ML, Noordermeer JN, Tamagnone L, Comoglio PM, Spriggs MK, Tessier-Lavigne M, Goodman CS (December 1998). "Plexin A is a neuronal semaphorin receptor that controls axon guidance". Cell. 95 (7): 903–16. doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)81715-8. PMID 9875845.
3. ^ a b c d e f g Kong Y, Janssen BJ, Malinauskas T, Vangoor VR, Coles CH, Kaufmann R, Ni T, Gilbert RJ, Padilla-Parra S, Pasterkamp RJ, Jones EY (August 2016). "Structural Basis for Plexin Activation and Regulation". Neuron. 91 (3): 548–60. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2016.06.018. PMC 4980550. PMID 27397516.
4. ^ a b Janssen BJ, Malinauskas T, Weir GA, Cader MZ, Siebold C, Jones EY (December 2012). "Neuropilins lock secreted semaphorins onto plexins in a ternary signaling complex". Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. 19 (12): 1293–9. doi:10.1038/nsmb.2416. PMC 3590443. PMID 23104057.
5. ^ a b Ellenbroek SI, Collard JG (November 2007). "Rho GTPases: functions and association with cancer". Clinical & Experimental Metastasis. 24 (8): 657–72. doi:10.1007/s10585-007-9119-1. PMID 18000759. S2CID 680659.
6. ^ a b Ayoob JC, Yu HH, Terman JR, Kolodkin AL (July 2004). "The Drosophila receptor guanylyl cyclase Gyc76C is required for semaphorin-1a-plexin A-mediated axonal repulsion". The Journal of Neuroscience. 24 (30): 6639–49. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1104-04.2004. PMC 6729715. PMID 15282266.
7. ^ a b c d e f Pascoe HG, Wang Y, Zhang X (September 2015). "Structural mechanisms of plexin signaling". Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 118 (3): 161–8. doi:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2015.03.006. PMC 4537802. PMID 25824683.
8. ^ a b c Suzuki K, Tsunoda H, Omiya R, Matoba K, Baba T, Suzuki S, Segawa H, Kumanogoh A, Iwasaki K, Hattori K, Takagi J (June 2016). "Structure of the Plexin Ectodomain Bound by Semaphorin-Mimicking Antibodies". PLOS ONE. 11 (6): e0156719. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1156719S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156719. PMC 4892512. PMID 27258772.
9. ^ Messina A, Giacobini P (September 2013). "Semaphorin signaling in the development and function of the gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone system". Frontiers in Endocrinology. 4: 133. doi:10.3389/fendo.2013.00133. PMC 3779810. PMID 24065959.
10. ^ Kozlov G, Perreault A, Schrag JD, Park M, Cygler M, Gehring K, Ekiel I (August 2004). "Insights into function of PSI domains from structure of the Met receptor PSI domain". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 321 (1): 234–40. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.06.132. PMID 15358240.
11. ^ Takahashi T, Strittmatter SM (February 2001). "Plexina1 autoinhibition by the plexin sema domain". Neuron. 29 (2): 429–39. doi:10.1016/S0896-6273(01)00216-1. PMID 11239433.
12. ^ Marita M, Wang Y, Kaliszewski MJ, Skinner KC, Comar WD, Shi X, Dasari P, Zhang X, Smith AW (November 2015). "Class A Plexins Are Organized as Preformed Inactive Dimers on the Cell Surface". Biophysical Journal. 109 (9): 1937–45. Bibcode:2015BpJ...109.1937M. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2015.04.043. PMC 4643210. PMID 26536270.
13. ^ Zhang L, Polyansky A, Buck M (2015-04-02). "Modeling transmembrane domain dimers/trimers of plexin receptors: implications for mechanisms of signal transmission across the membrane". PLOS ONE. 10 (4): e0121513. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1021513Z. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121513. PMC 4383379. PMID 25837709.
14. ^ a b Gu C, Giraudo E (May 2013). "The role of semaphorins and their receptors in vascular development and cancer". Experimental Cell Research. 319 (9): 1306–16. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.02.003. PMC 3648602. PMID 23422037.
15. ^ a b c d e Perälä N, Sariola H, Immonen T (January 2012). "More than nervous: the emerging roles of plexins". Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity. 83 (1): 77–91. doi:10.1016/j.diff.2011.08.001. PMID 22099179.
16. ^ a b Fujisawa H, Ohta K, Kameyama T, Murakami Y (1997). "Function of a cell adhesion molecule, plexin, in neuron network formation". Developmental Neuroscience. 19 (1): 101–5. doi:10.1159/000111192. PMID 9078440.
17. ^ Sakurai A, Doçi CL, Doci C, Gutkind JS (January 2012). "Semaphorin signaling in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and cancer". Cell Research. 22 (1): 23–32. doi:10.1038/cr.2011.198. PMC 3351930. PMID 22157652.
18. ^ Tamagnone L (August 2012). "Emerging role of semaphorins as major regulatory signals and potential therapeutic targets in cancer". Cancer Cell. 22 (2): 145–52. doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2012.06.031. PMID 22897846.
19. ^ Neufeld G, Mumblat Y, Smolkin T, Toledano S, Nir-Zvi I, Ziv K, Kessler O (November 2016). "The semaphorins and their receptors as modulators of tumor progression". Drug Resistance Updates. 29: 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.drup.2016.08.001. PMID 27912840.
20. ^ Akiyama H, Fukuda T, Tojima T, Nikolaev VO, Kamiguchi H (May 2016). "Cyclic Nucleotide Control of Microtubule Dynamics for Axon Guidance". The Journal of Neuroscience. 36 (20): 5636–49. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3596-15.2016. PMC 6601770. PMID 27194341.
21. ^ Zabaneh, D.; Krapohl, E.; Gaspar, H. A.; Curtis, C.; Lee, S. H.; Patel, H.; Newhouse, S.; Wu, H. M.; Simpson, M. A.; Putallaz, M.; Lubinski, D. (May 2018). "A genome-wide association study for extremely high intelligence". Molecular Psychiatry. 23 (5): 1226–1232. doi:10.1038/mp.2017.121. ISSN 1476-5578. PMC 5987166. PMID 29731509.