High impact information on Ntn4

• A novel member of the netrin family, beta-netrin, shares homology with the beta chain of laminin: identification, expression, and functional characterization [1].
• Functional studies were performed and show that beta-netrin promotes neurite elongation from olfactory bulb explants [1].
• Here, we characterize a new member of the family, beta-netrin. beta-Netrin is homologous to the NH(2) terminus of laminin chain short arms; it contains a laminin-like domain VI and 3.5 laminin EGF repeats and a netrin C domain [1].
• Both in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to describe the cellular source of beta-netrin and where beta-netrin is deposited. beta-Netrin is a basement membrane component; it is present in the basement membranes of the vasculature, kidney, and ovaries [1].
• Identification of a novel alternative splicing form of human netrin-4 and analyzing the expression patterns in adult rat brain [2].

Biological context of Ntn4

• The widespread expression of netrin-4 in adult rat brain indicates that netrin-4 is not only important for axon guidance during embryonic development, but also critical to neuronal plasticity in adult stage [2].

Anatomical context of Ntn4

• High levels of netrin-4 mRNA was found in the pyramidal cell layer of the cerebral cortex, prepiriform cortex, amygdaloid nuclei, pyramidal layer of hippocampus, Purkinje's cells, medial cerebellar nucleus and interposed cerebellar nucleus, medial nucleus of the trapezoid body and mitral cell layer of the olfactory bulb [2].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Ntn4

• Here we report the cloning of a novel isoform of human netrin-4 using rapid amplification of complementary DNA (cDNA) ends (RACE) technique and analysis on the netrin-4 mRNA expression in adult rat brain using in situ hybridization [2].

References