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[Current progress in functions of axon guidance molecule Robo and underlying molecular mechanism.] [Article in Chinese]

LI Xiao-Tong, ZHOU Qi-Sheng, YU Qi, ZHAO Xiao, LIU Qing-Xin

Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China； 2Xintai Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau, Xintai 271200, China

Abstract

The axon guidance molecule Robo is a transmembrane protein which is conserved during evolution. Robo and its ligand, Slit, have been implicated in regulating many developmental processes, such as axon guidance, neuronal migration, tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, lung morphogenesis, kidney morphogenesis, heart morphogenesis, ovary development and gonad development. Robo function mainly depends on the binding of its Ig1 domain to the LRR-2 domain of Slit ligand. Meanwhile, Robo function is also mediated by binding to some signaling molecules, including the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and tyrosine kinase Abelson. Several transcription factors, including Hox, Midline and Nkx2.9, were shown to regulate robo expression. In addition, alternative splicing and transport regulation also affect Robo function. In this review, we summarized the studies on the molecular structure, functions and molecular mechanism of Robo, which would propose a novel strategy for the research of neural development, as well as prevention and treatment of nervous system diseases and cancers.

Key words: axon guidance; Robo; Slit; cell migration; molecular mechanism; gene regulation

Received: 2013-10-08　　Accepted: 2013-12-16

Corresponding author: 刘庆信　　E-mail: liuqingxin@sdau.edu.cn

Citing This Article：

LI Xiao-Tong, ZHOU Qi-Sheng, YU Qi, ZHAO Xiao, LIU Qing-Xin. [Current progress in functions of axon guidance molecule Robo and underlying molecular mechanism.] [Article in Chinese]. Acta Physiol Sin 2014; 66 (3): 373-385 (in Chinese with English abstract).