Slit (gene)
| slit | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| Organism | |
| Symbol | sli |
| Entrez | 36746 |
| RefSeq (mRNA) | NM_057381.3 |
| RefSeq (Prot) | NP_476729.1 |
| UniProt | P24014 |
| Other data | |
| Chromosome | 2R: 11.75 - 11.82 Mb |
| slit homolog 1 | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| Symbol | SLIT1 |
| Alt. symbols | SLIL1 |
| Entrez | 6585 |
| HUGO | 11085 |
| OMIM | 603742 |
| RefSeq | NM_003061 |
| UniProt | O75093 |
| Other data | |
| Locus | Chr. 10 q23.3-q24 |
| slit homolog 2 | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| Symbol | SLIT2 |
| Alt. symbols | SLIL3 |
| Entrez | 9353 |
| HUGO | 11086 |
| OMIM | 603746 |
| RefSeq | NM_004787 |
| UniProt | O94813 |
| Other data | |
| Locus | Chr. 4 p15.2 |
| slit homolog 3 | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| Symbol | SLIT3 |
| Alt. symbols | SLIL2 |
| Entrez | 6586 |
| HUGO | 11087 |
| OMIM | 603745 |
| RefSeq | NM_003062 |
| UniProt | O75094 |
| Other data | |
| Locus | Chr. 5 q35 |
Slit is a family of secreted extracellular matrix proteins which play an important signalling role in the neural development of most bilaterians (animals with bilateral symmetry). While lower animal species, including insects and nematode worms, possess a single Slit gene, humans, mice and other vertebrates possess three Slit homologs: Slit1, Slit2 and Slit3. Human Slits have been shown to be involved certain pathological conditions, such as cancer and inflammation.
The ventral midline of the central nervous system is a key place where axons can either decide to cross and laterally project or stay on the same side of the brain. The main function of Slit proteins is to act as midline repellents, preventing the crossing of longitudinal axons through the midline of the central nervous system of most bilaterian animal species, including mice, chickens, humans, insects, nematode worms and planarians. It also prevents the recrossing of commissural axons. Its canonical receptor is Robo but it may have other receptors. The Slit protein is produced and secreted by cells within the floor plate (in vertebrates) or by midline glia (in insects) and diffuses outward. Slit/Robo signaling is important in pioneer axon guidance.
Slit mutations were first discovered in the Nuesslein-Volhard/Wieschaus patterning screen where they were seen to affect the external midline structures in the embryos of Drosophila melanogaster, also known as the common fruit fly. In this experiment, researchers screened for different mutations in D. melanogaster embryos that affected the neural development of axons in the central nervous system. They found that the mutations in commissureless genes (Slit genes) lead to the growth cones that typically cross the midline remaining on their own side. The findings from this screening suggest that Slit genes are responsible for repulsive signaling along the neuronal midline.
...
Wikipedia