Chemicals and Drugs

Semaphorins

A family of proteins that mediate AXONAL GUIDANCE. Semaphorins act as repulsive cues for neuronal GROWTH CONES and bind to receptors on their filopodia. At least 20 different molecules have been described and divided into eight classes based on domain organization and species of origin. Classes 1 and 2 are invertebrate, classes 3-7 are vertebrate, and class V are viral. Semaphorins may be secreted (classes 2, 3, and V), transmembrane (classes 1, 4, 5, and 6), or membrane-anchored (class 7). All semaphorins possess a common 500-amino acid extracellular domain which is critical for receptor binding and specificity, and is also found in plexins and scatter factor receptors. Their C termini are class-specific and may contain additional sequence motifs.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A family of proteins that mediate AXONAL GUIDANCE. Semaphorins act as repulsive cues for neuronal GROWTH CONES and bind to receptors on their filopodia. At least 20 different molecules have been described and divided into eight classes based on domain organization and species of origin. Classes 1 and 2 are invertebrate, classes 3-7 are vertebrate, and class V are viral. Semaphorins may be secreted (classes 2, 3, and V), transmembrane (classes 1, 4, 5, and 6), or membrane-anchored (class 7). All semaphorins possess a common 500-amino acid extracellular domain which is critical for receptor binding and specificity, and is also found in plexins and scatter factor receptors. Their C termini are class-specific and may contain additional sequence motifs.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

34 entry terms
  • Semaphorin
  • Class 1 Semaphorins
  • Class 2 Semaphorins
  • Class 3 Semaphorins
  • Class 4 Semaphorins
  • Class 5 Semaphorins
  • Class 6 Semaphorins
  • Class 7 Semaphorins
  • Class V Semaphorins
  • Sema 1
  • Semaphorin-1
  • Semaphorin-2
  • Semaphorin-3
  • Semaphorin-4
  • Semaphorin-5
  • Semaphorin-6
  • Semaphorin-7
  • Semaphorin-V
  • Semaphorin 1
  • Semaphorin 2
  • Semaphorin 3
  • Semaphorin 4
  • Semaphorin 5
  • Semaphorin 6
  • Semaphorin 7
  • Semaphorin V
  • Semaphorins, Class 1
  • Semaphorins, Class 2
  • Semaphorins, Class 3
  • Semaphorins, Class 4
  • Semaphorins, Class 5
  • Semaphorins, Class 6
  • Semaphorins, Class 7
  • Semaphorins, Class V

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

2003; for SEMA 1 & SEMAPHORIN-1 use SEMAPHORIN 1A, GRASSHOPPER (NM) 1994-2002

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D12.644w.276.923w
  2. D12.776w.467.923w
  3. D23.529.923w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Semaphorins. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D039961. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D039961
  2. Semaphorins. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaphorin
  3. Semaphorins. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24768287