Semaphorin 7a (SEMA7A) Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

The protein encoded by this gene binds to cell surfaces through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linkage. The encoded glycoprotein is found on activated lymphocytes and erythrocytes. This protein may be involved in immunomodulatory and neuronal processes. Defects in this gene can result in loss of bone mineral density (BMD). Three transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Mar 2009]

Function: Plays an important role in integrin-mediated signaling and functions both in regulating cell migration and immune responses. Promotes formation of focal adhesion complexes, activation of the protein kinase PTK2/FAK1 and subsequent phosphorylation of MAPK1 and MAPK3. Promotes production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes and macrophages. Plays an important role in modulating inflammation and T-cell-mediated immune responses. Promotes axon growth in the embryonic olfactory bulb. Promotes attachment, spreading and dendrite outgrowth in melanocytes. Ref.10 Ref.11 Ref.12

Subunit structure: Interacts with ITGA1 and ITGB1

Probable. Interacts with PLXNC1. Ref.10 Ref.11 Ref.12 Ref.13

Subcellular location: Cell membrane; Lipid-anchor › GPI-anchor; Extracellular side. Note: Detected in a punctate pattern on the cell membrane of basal and supra-basal skin keratinocytes. Ref.2 Ref.3 Ref.12

Tissue specificity: Detected in skin keratinocytes and on endothelial cells from skin blood vessels (at protein level). Expressed in fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes, placenta, testis, ovary, spleen, brain, spinal chord, lung, heart, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, thymus, intestine and kidney. Ref.2 Ref.3 Ref.12

Induction: Up-regulated in UV-irradiated fibroblasts, but not in UV-irradiated keratinocytes. Ref.12

Polymorphism: Genetic variations in SEMA7A define the John Milton Hagen blood group system (JMH) [

MIM:614745]. Three different JMH phenotypes have been identified based on the presence or absence of the high-frequency JMH antigen: JMH-weak, JMH-negative, and JMH-variant. The JMH-weak and -negative phenotypes can be either acquired or inherited and are characterized by a reduction or complete loss of JMH expression on red blood cells. Individuals with the JMH-variant phenotype are usually JMH-positive and have alloantibodies compatible with JMH-negative red blood cells. The JMH-variant phenotype results from rare SEMA7A missense variants.

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the semaphorin family.Contains 1 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain.Contains 1 PSI domain.Contains 1 Sema domain.