The role of the semaphorins in cancer

The semaphorins were initially characterized as axon guidance factors, but have subsequently been implicated also in the regulation of immune responses, angiogenesis, organ formation, and a variety of additional physiological and developmental functions. The semaphorin family contains more then 20 genes divided into 7 subfamilies, all of which contain the signature sema domain. The semaphorins transduce signals by binding to receptors belonging to the neuropilin or plexin families. Additional receptors which form complexes with these primary semaphorin receptors are also frequently involved in semaphorin signaling. Recent evidence suggests that semaphorins also fulfill important roles in the etiology of multiple forms of cancer. Some semaphorins have been found to function as bona-fide tumor suppressors and to inhibit tumor progression by various mechanisms while other semaphorins function as inducers and promoters of tumor progression.