Localization mechanisms of the axon guidance molecule UNC‐6/Netrin and its receptors, UNC‐5 and UNC‐40, in Caenorhabditis elegans

• Published in: Development, growth & differentiation growth & differentiation, 2012-04, Vol.54 (3), p.390-397
• Main Authors: Ogura, Ken‐ichi, Asakura, Taro, Goshima, Yoshio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; axon guidance; Axons - metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans - metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - metabolism; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cell Membrane; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism; genetics; localization; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; muscle; Muscle Cells - metabolism; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; netrin/UNC‐6; Netrins; Neural Pathways; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; Protein Transport; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Synaptic Transmission
• ISSN: 0012-1592; 1440-169X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169X.2012.01349.x

Netrin is an evolutionarily conserved, secretory axon guidance molecule. Netrin's receptors, UNC‐5 and UNC‐40/DCC, are single trans‐membrane proteins with immunoglobulin domains at their extra‐cellular regions. Netrin is thought to provide its positional information by establishing a concentration gradient. UNC‐5 and UNC‐40 act at growth cones, which are specialized axonal tip structures that are generally located at a long distance from the neural cell body. Thus, the proper localization of both Netrin and its receptors is critical for their function. This review addresses the localization mechanisms of UNC‐6/Netrin and its receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on our recent reports. These findings include novel insights on cytoplasmic proteins that function upstream of the receptors.