Neuron
Volume 19, Issue 5, November 1997, Pages 995-1005
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Article
Neuropilin–Semaphorin III/D-Mediated Chemorepulsive Signals Play a Crucial Role in Peripheral Nerve Projection in Mice

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Abstract

Neuropilin is a neuronal cell surface protein and has been shown to function as a receptor for a secreted protein, semaphorin III/D, that can induce neuronal growth cone collapse and repulsion of neurites in vitro. The roles of neuropilin in vivo, however, are unknown. Here, we report that neuropilin-deficient mutant mice produced by targeted disruption of the neuropilin gene show severe abnormalities in the trajectory of efferent fibers of the PNS. We also describe that neuropilin-deprived dorsal root ganglion neurons are perfectly protected from growth cone collapse elicited by semaphorin III/D. Our results indicate that neuropilin–semaphorin III/D-mediated chemorepulsive signals play a major role in guidance of PNS efferents.

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