UNC5B Protein, Human (HEK293, hFc)

UNC5B, a crucial receptor for netrin, emerges as a key player in axon guidance, primarily mediating axon repulsion in neuronal growth cones during the development of the nervous system upon ligand binding. This repulsive effect is suggested to be orchestrated by its association with DCC, potentially triggering signaling pathways leading to axon repulsion. Beyond its role in neural development, UNC5B operates as a netrin receptor with negative regulatory impact on vascular branching during angiogenesis, facilitating the retraction of tip cell filopodia on endothelial growth cones in response to netrin. Notably, UNC5B also functions as a dependence receptor, inducing apoptosis when not engaged with the netrin ligand, a process that involves the activation of DAPK1. In the absence of netrin, UNC5B activates DAPK1 by reducing its autoinhibitory phosphorylation, thereby enhancing its catalytic activity. The receptor engages in diverse protein interactions, including the cytoplasmic part of DCC, GNAI2, FLRT3, FLRT2, and FLRT3 in a context-dependent manner, underlining its multifaceted role in axon guidance, angiogenesis regulation, and apoptotic signaling.