This gene encodes a member of the plexin-A family of semaphorin co-receptors. Semaphorins are a large family of secreted or membrane-bound proteins that mediate repulsive effects on axon pathfinding during nervous system development. A subset of semaphorins are recognized by plexin-A/neuropilin transmembrane receptor complexes, triggering a cellular signal transduction cascade that leads to axon repulsion. This plexin-A family member is thought to transduce signals from semaphorin-3A and -3C. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Kunath, Delaroque, Szardenings, Neundorf, Straub: "Sympathetic nerve repulsion inhibited by designer molecules in vitro and role in experimental arthritis." in: Life sciences, Vol. 168, pp. 47-53, (2016) (PubMed).