(Sema Domain, Immunoglobulin Domain (Ig), Transmembrane Domain (TM) and Short Cytoplasmic Domain, (Semaphorin) 4A (Sema4a))
This gene encodes a member of the semaphorin family of soluble and transmembrane proteins. Semaphorins are involved in numerous functions, including axon guidance, morphogenesis, carcinogenesis, and immunomodulation. The encoded protein is a single-pass type I membrane protein containing an immunoglobulin-like C2-type domain, a PSI domain and a sema domain. It inhibits axonal extension by providing local signals to specify territories inaccessible for growing axons. It is an activator of T-cell-mediated immunity and suppresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Mutations in this gene are associated with retinal degenerative diseases including retinitis pigmentosa type 35 (RP35) and cone-rod dystrophy type 10 (CORD10). Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified.[provided by RefSeq, Sep 2010].
Chiou, Lucassen, Sather, Kallianpur, Connor: "Semaphorin4A and H-ferritin utilize Tim-1 on human oligodendrocytes: A novel neuro-immune axis." in: Glia, Vol. 66, Issue 7, pp. 1317-1330, (2018) (PubMed).
Peng, Gao, Chong, Liu, Zhang: "Semaphorin 4A enhances lung fibrosis through activation of Akt via PlexinD1 receptor." in: Journal of biosciences, Vol. 40, Issue 5, pp. 855-62, (2015) (PubMed).
Mogie, Shanks, Nkyimbeng-Takwi, Smith, Davila, Lipsky, DeTolla, Keegan, Chapoval: "Neuroimmune semaphorin 4A as a drug and drug target for asthma." in: International immunopharmacology, Vol. 17, Issue 3, pp. 568-75, (2013) (PubMed).