The semaphorin family contains a large number of
phylogenetically conserved proteins and includes several members that function in repulsive axon guidance.
Semaphorin III (SEMA3A; OMIM 603961) is a secreted protein that in vitro causes neuronal growth cone collapse and
chemorepulsion of neurites, and in vivo is required for correct sensory afferent innervation and other aspects of
development. Kolodkin et al. (1997) reported that neuropilin-1 (NRP1; OMIM 602069), a type I transmembrane protein
implicated in aspects of neurodevelopment, is a semaphorin III receptor. They also identified rat neuropilin-2, a
related neuropilin family member, and showed that neuropilin and neuropilin-2 are expressed in overlapping, yet
distinct, populations of neurons in the rat embryonic nervous system.
NCBI Summary:
Neuropilin 2; binds to Sema E and Sema IV semaphorins; member of the neuropilin protein family of receptors
General function
Receptor
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Cellular localization
Plasma membrane
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Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Theca, Luteal cells
Comment
Hormonal regulation and differential expression of neuropilin (NRP)-1 and NRP-2 genes in bovine granulosa cells. Shimizu T et al. Although much is known about the biology of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, little is known about the role of the VEGF receptors neuropilin (NRP)-1 and NRP-2 in the process of bovine follicle development. The aim of the present study was to examine the hormonal regulation of NRP-1 and NRP-2 mRNAs by real-time PCR in follicles from the bovine ovary and in cultured granulosa cells. The NRP-1 gene was expressed in the granulosa and theca cells in the post-selection (POF) and pre-selection (PRF) follicles in the bovine ovary. In contrast, the NRP-2 gene was expressed only in the theca cells in the POF and the PRF. The level of NRP-1 mRNA was significantly increased by treatment of the cultured granulosa cells with 10 ng/ml estradiol (E2). In contrast, the addition of progesterone (P4) to the culture medium decreased the expression of the NRP-1 gene. The level of NRP-1 mRNA was increased by 10 ng/ml E2 with or without 1 ng/ml P4, but the level of NRP-1 mRNA was decreased if the P4 level was increased to 10 ng/ml, even when 1 ng/ml E2 was also added. Follicle-stimulating hormone did not stimulate the expression of the NRP-1 gene. These results are the first data showing that NRP-1, but not NRP-2, is expressed in the granulosa cells of bovine follicles and that NRP-1 gene expression is regulated by sex steroids. Our findings suggest the involvement of NRP-1 in follicle development in the cow.
Follicle stages
Preovulatory, Corpus luteum
Comment
Neuropilin-1 and-2 expression in the monkey corpus luteum during the menstrual cycle.
Author(s): Xu FH, Hazzard TM, Scheffler LJ, Stouffer RL Source: BIOLOGY OF
REPRODUCTION v. 66(S1) pp. 181-182 2002 ABSTRACT