WFIKKN2 is a bifunctional axon guidance cue that signals through divergent DCC family receptors

Abstract

AbstractAxon pathfinding is controlled by attractive and repulsive molecular cues that activate receptors on the axonal growth cone, but the full repertoire of axon guidance molecules remains unknown. The vertebrate DCC receptor family contains the two closely related members DCC and Neogenin with prominent roles in axon guidance and three additional, divergent members – Punc, Nope, and Protogenin – for which functions in neural circuit formation have remained elusive. We identified a secreted Punc/Nope/Protogenin ligand, WFIKKN2, which guides mouse peripheral sensory axons through Nope-mediated repulsion. In contrast, WFIKKN2 attracts motor axons, but not via Nope. These findings identify WFIKKN2 as a bifunctional axon guidance cue that acts through divergent DCC family members, revealing a remarkable diversity of ligand interactions for this receptor family in nervous system wiring.One-Sentence SummaryWFIKKN2 is a ligand for the DCC family receptors Punc, Nope, and Prtg that repels sensory axons and attracts motor axons.