Semaphorins and Plexins in central nervous system patterning: the key to it all?

• Published in: Current opinion in neurobiology 2021-02, Vol.66, p.224-232
• Main Authors: Limoni, Greta, Niquille, Mathieu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Adhesion Molecules; Central Nervous System - physiology; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Semaphorins
• ISSN: 0959-4388; 1873-6882
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.014

•Semaphorins and Plexins are crucial proteins in patterning central nervous system.•Local and cerebrospinal fluid-derived Semaphorins/Plexins influence neurogenesis.•Comparted Semaphorins in the developing forebrain guides neuron migration.•Dynamic expression of Plexin/Neuropilin receptors bridges the hemispheres.•Semaphorins/Plexins control pluripotent glia recruitment, therapeutic perspectives. Semaphorins and Plexins constitute one of the largest family of guidance molecules and receptors involved in setting critical biological steps for central nervous system development. The role of these molecules in axonal development has been extensively characterized but Semaphorins and Plexins are also involved in a variety of other developmental processes, spanning from cell polarization to migration, laminar segregation and neuronal maturation. In this review, we aim to gather discoveries carried in the field of neurodevelopment over the last decade, during which Semaphorin/Plexin complexes have emerged as key regulators of neurogenesis, neural cell migration and adult gliogenesis. As well, we report mechanisms that brought a better understanding of axonal midline crossing.