Recombinant Human Plexin A4 protein (His-DHFR)

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Plexin A4 also known as PLXNA4 is a protein with a mass of approximately 220 kDa. It functions as a receptor for semaphorin proteins which play an important role in guiding axon pathways during neural development. Plexin A4 binds to its semaphorin ligands and initiates signal transduction resulting in growth cone collapse and axonal growth direction changes. It is highly expressed in the central nervous system particularly in the brain and the spinal cord.

Biological function summary

Plexin A4 facilitates axonal pathfinding and neuronal network formation by interacting with semaphorin ligands and it often functions as part of a receptor complex. The receptor complex typically involves neuropilins which binds to semaphorins with higher affinity and subsequently recruits Plexin A4 for signal transduction. This signaling regulates not only neural development but also plays roles in immune response modulation and vascular development.

Pathways

Plexin A4 engages in semaphorin-plexin signaling and contributes significantly to axonal guidance pathways. It forms part of a signaling cascade with proteins like the neuropilins and other members of the plexin family orchestrating neuronal connectivity. Additionally it interacts with the Rho family of GTPases such as RhoA and Rac1 which are underlying signaling molecules that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics essential for cell migration and morphogenesis.

Disrupted Plexin A4 function associates with neurological conditions like autism spectrum disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Aberrant Plexin A4 signaling impacts neuronal circuity leading to such disorders. Additionally its involvement in the immune response connects Plexin A4 to autoimmune diseases where dysregulation may contribute to pathogenesis. It often work alongside proteins like semaphorin 3A and neuropilins that are similarly implicated in these disorders.