NTN1
Description
The NTN1 (netrin 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
Netrin-1 is a protein produced by the NTN1 gene in humans. It belongs to a family of laminin-related secreted proteins and is believed to play a role in guiding the growth of axons and cell migration during development. While its precise function remains unclear, variations in netrin have been linked to cancer development. Netrin-1 interacts with proteins involved in the extracellular matrix and tumor microenvironment, including Deleted in Colorectal Cancer. During the development of the central nervous system, Netrin-1 is essential for the proper crossing of commissural axons at the midline. In knockout mice lacking Netrin-1 in the floor plate, the crossing of corticospinal axons is disrupted.
Netrins, including Netrin-1 encoded by the NTN1 gene, play a crucial role in guiding the growth of axons in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system. Netrin-1 interacts with specific receptors, such as DCC and UNC5, to either attract or repel axons, respectively. Specifically, binding to UNC5C can lead to the detachment of UNC5C from microtubules, promoting increased microtubule dynamics and axon repulsion. Netrin-1 is involved in the projection of dorsal root ganglion axons towards the spinal cord. Moreover, it acts as a survival factor by preventing apoptosis through its interactions with receptors. Importantly, Netrin-1's role in regulating apoptosis has been implicated in tumorigenesis.
NTN1 is also known as MRMV4, NET1, NTN1L.
