Signaling mechanism of the netrin-1 receptor DCC in axon guidance

Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2015 Sep;118(3):153-60. doi: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2015.04.001. Epub 2015 Apr 14.

Abstract

DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer) is a single-pass transmembrane protein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It was originally identified as a prognostic tumor marker and then subsequently found to be a receptor for netrin-1. DCC plays a key role in axon guidance and also in a number of other important cellular processes. This review describes the current progress of the structural biology of DCC with an emphasis on how DCC is involved in the dual functionality of netrin-1 as a chemo-attractant as well as a repellent in axon guidance, referred to as bi-functionality. A perspective about other DCC ligands and the signaling mechanism of the cytoplasmic tail of DCC is also recapitulated.

Keywords: Axon guidance; DCC; Netrin-1; Structure; UNC5.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DCC Receptor
  • Humans
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • DCC Receptor
  • DCC protein, human
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins