Slit/Robo信号在血管新生中的功能研究

分泌型糖蛋白Slit及其受体Roundabout(Robo)最初是作为一类重要的发育中神经元轴突导向分子而被发现的。目前为止对Slit/Robo信号对神经系统发育过程中轴突吸引或排斥的导向功能研究比较多,而对在发育中生长方式与其非常相似的血管发生过程中研究比较少。现有研究提示两者在发育过程中可能存在共同的信号调控机制,是Slit/Robo信号通路在血管新生中充当着重要的角色。该文就Slit/Robo信号对血管内皮细胞迁移的调节、对血管新生的作用及其可能介导的信号通路进行综述,以期进一步推动Slit/Robo信号通路在血管发生中的研究。

The functional research of Slit/Robo on angiogenesis

The secreted glycoproteins of SLIT and their receptors of Roundabout （Robo） were originally identified as important axon guidance molecules. More particularly, Slit/Robo signaling is considered to function as a repulsive cue in preventing axons from migrating to inappropriate locations during the assembly of the nervous system. Like that, the process of angiogenesis are very similar with the assembly of nervous system during developmental progress, especially in temporally and spatially. So it is suggested that both of them share the common molecular signals mechanism to some extent. Taken together, a series of of research suggest Slit/Robo pathway play the essential role on angiogenesis. Therefore, this review will focus on the roles Slit/Robo path-way to regulate vascular endothelial cell migration on angiogenesis and possibly the involved signaling pathway molecules in order to further dissect the influence of the Slit/Robo pathway and promote the research of Slit/Robo signaling on angiogenesis eventually.