Semaphorins are a family of secreted and cell-bound signaling molecules defined by the presence of a common 5 aa Sema domain. They are best characterized in relation to axon guidance during development of the nervous system. The functions of Semaphorins 3A (SEMA3A) are mediated primarily through binding to the Neuropilin-1 (Npn-1) and Plexin-A1 coreceptor complex. Neuropilins lack a signaling-competent cytoplasetmic domain and ensure semaphorin binding, whereas the transmembrane receptor plexin mediates the intracellular response. As the first identified vertebrate semaphorin, SEMA3A functions either as a chemorepulsive agent inhibiting axonal outgrowth, or as a chemoattractive agent stimulating the growth of apical dendrites. In both cases, the protein is vital for normal neuronal pattern development. Its overexpression is associated with schizophrenia which is seen in various human tumor cell lines, and aberrant release is associated with the progression of Alzheimers disease
