Plexin-D1 pre-mRNA (Mus musculus) (Plxnd1 pre-mRNA)

Plexin-D1 (Plxnd1) is a critical transmembrane receptor in mice that mediates signaling for class 3 semaphorins, most notably Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E). The Plxnd1 pre-mRNA is the primary transcript that undergoes complex processing, including alternative splicing, to generate either the full-length signaling receptor or a soluble decoy isoform (sPlxnD1) that lacks the transmembrane domain (NCBI Gene ID: 246153; UniProt: P70206). This molecule plays a fundamental role in vascular patterning and cardiovascular development; genetic ablation of Plxnd1 in mouse models results in severe, often lethal, defects such as persistent truncus arteriosus and mispatterned intersegmental vessels (PubMed: 15169755). In adult pathology, Plxnd1 is frequently upregulated in the tumor vasculature and certain cancer cells, where it promotes angiogenesis and metastasis, as well as in inflammatory conditions like endometriosis (PubMed: 21933821). Therapeutic strategies targeting the pre-mRNA, particularly through the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), aim to modulate splicing to increase the production of the anti-angiogenic soluble isoform or to silence the gene entirely in pathological contexts. Because of its indispensable role in embryonic development, pharmacological targeting of Plxnd1 requires precise temporal and spatial control to avoid significant safety concerns related to vascular integrity.

Other names

Plexin D1 precursor mRNAPlxnd1 transcriptSemaphorin receptor Plexin-D1 pre-mRNAKIAA0620 pre-mRNA

Modulation of alternative splicing to favor specific isoforms (e.g., soluble vs. membrane-bound) or RNA interference-mediated degradation to reduce protein expression.