SEMA4A Antibody

Background:

This gene encodes a member of the semaphorin family ofsoluble and transmembrane proteins. Semaphorins are involved innumerous functions, including axon guidance, morphogenesis,carcinogenesis, and immunomodulation. The encoded protein is asingle-pass type I membrane protein containing animmunoglobulin-like C2-type domain, a PSI domain and a sema domain.It inhibits axonal extension by providing local signals to specifyterritories inaccessible for growing axons. It is an activator ofT-cell-mediated immunity and suppresses vascular endothelial growthfactor (VEGF)-mediated endothelial cell migration and proliferationin vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Mutations in this gene areassociated with retinal degenerative diseases including retinitispigmentosa type 35 (RP35) and cone-rod dystrophy type 10 (CORD10).Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encodingdifferent isoforms have been identified.