Dorsal inhibitory axon guidance protein (Draxin)

Dorsal inhibitory axon guidance protein (Draxin) is a secreted protein crucial for the development and guidance of neuronal axons in the central nervous system. Draxin plays a key role in the formation of major neural circuits, including spinal cord commissures, the corpus callosum, and thalamocortical projections[1][2]. It functions primarily as a chemorepulsive axon guidance cue, interacting with netrin-1 and acting through receptors such as DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer) and Neogenin (Neo1)[1][2][3][4]. Draxin helps direct axon pathfinding and fasciculation, ensuring correct wiring during development by either attracting, repelling, or modulating axonal responses in a concentration-dependent manner. It can also act as an antagonist of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway via LRP6 interaction, thereby inhibiting beta-catenin stabilization[3]. Draxin has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly when its function is disrupted, as seen in animal and genetic studies[1][3][4]. No therapeutics currently target Draxin directly, nor is it used as a clinical biomarker, though its biological significance in neurodevelopment is well established.

Other names

Dorsal inhibitory axon guidance proteinDraxinDRAXINC1orf187PSEC0258UNQ3119/PRO10268FLJ34999NeucrinDorsal repulsive axon guidance proteinneural tissue-specific cysteine-rich proteinAGPA3119UNQ3119draxin

Not applicable (no drugs directly targeting Draxin)