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SEMA3A

Domain

Strong binding to neuropilin is mediated by the carboxy third of the protein.

Function

Involved in the development of the olfactory system and in neuronal control of puberty. Induces the collapse and paralysis of neuronal growth cones. Could serve as a ligand that guides specific growth cones by a motility-inhibiting mechanism. Binds to the complex neuropilin-1/plexin-1.

Involvement in disease

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism 16 with or without anosmia

HH16

A disorder characterized by absent or incomplete sexual maturation by the age of 18 years, in conjunction with low levels of circulating gonadotropins and testosterone and no other abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. In some cases, it is associated with non-reproductive phenotypes, such as anosmia, cleft palate, and sensorineural hearing loss. Anosmia or hyposmia is related to the absence or hypoplasia of the olfactory bulbs and tracts. Hypogonadism is due to deficiency in gonadotropin-releasing hormone and probably results from a failure of embryonic migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-synthesizing neurons. In the presence of anosmia, idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is referred to as Kallmann syndrome, whereas in the presence of a normal sense of smell, it has been termed normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nIHH).

None

The disease may be caused by variants affecting distinct genetic loci, including the gene represented in this entry.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the semaphorin family.

Tissue specificity

Expressed in the dorsal root ganglia.

Cellular localization

  • Secreted

Alternative names

  • Semaphorin-3A
  • Semaphorin III
  • Sema III
  • SEMA3A
  • SEMAD

Target type

Proteins

Molecular weight

88889Da