Identification of Nrp2a and PlxnA3 signal transduction events

Signaling pathways are critical for communication between cells during the growth and development of multicellular organisms. These pathways are regulated by a diverse array of ligand-receptor interactions that communicate specific signals throughout development. We are interested in characterizing the role of the ligand Sema3d in influencing cell division via receptor Nrp2a and joint formation via receptor PlxnA3 during skeletal morphogenesis of the zebrafish fin skeleton, with particular emphasis on the cytosolic signaling proteins activated in response to ligand Sema3d binding.

 

Our strategy for 2014 will be to (1) purify recombinant forms of receptor cytoplasmic domains, (2) isolation of proteins that physically bind to the purified domain and (3) identification of bound components by mass spectrometry. Completion of these Aims will provide novel insights