UNC5B
UNC5B (unc-5 netrin receptor B, also known as UNC5H2 and p53RDL1) is a cell-surface receptor for netrin that guides axons and restrains vascular branching. It also acts as a dependence receptor, promoting apoptosis when netrin ligand is absent. Browse Assay Genie's current range of UNC5B research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
UNC5B is a receptor for netrin that is required for axon guidance. On ligand binding it mediates repulsion of neuronal growth cones in the developing nervous system, and this repulsion may be triggered through its association with DCC. The same receptor system operates in the vasculature: UNC5B negatively regulates vascular branching during angiogenesis and mediates retraction of tip cell filopodia on endothelial growth cones in response to netrin. NCBI describes it as mediating the repulsive effect of netrin-1 and as a vascular netrin receptor.
UNC5B is also a dependence receptor. When it is not associated with its netrin ligand, it is required for apoptosis induction. It does so by activating DAPK1: in the absence of NTN1, UNC5B reduces the autoinhibitory phosphorylation of DAPK1 at Ser-308, increasing its catalytic activity. Dependence receptors of this kind are involved in pro- and anti-apoptotic processes, and many are implicated in embryogenesis and in cancer progression. The protein localises to the cell membrane and to membrane rafts.
The human UNC5B gene belongs to the unc-5 family and encodes a member of the netrin family of receptors. HGNC places it in the I-set domain containing, Ig-like cell adhesion molecule and ZU5 domain containing groups. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described. Earlier names include UNC5H2, p53RDL1 and unc-5 homolog B (C. elegans). Mouse and rat orthologues are both named Unc5b, which allows the UNC5B protein to be studied in common rodent models.
UNC5B mediates netrin-dependent repulsion of neuronal growth cones, making it a key receptor for studying nervous system development.
As a vascular netrin receptor, UNC5B negatively regulates branching and drives filopodia retraction in endothelial tip cells.
Without netrin, UNC5B induces apoptosis by activating DAPK1, offering a model for dependence receptor signalling.
Dependence receptors such as UNC5B are involved in embryogenesis and cancer progression, linking cell survival signalling to development and disease.
UNC5B is a netrin receptor required for axon guidance, where it mediates growth cone repulsion, and it negatively regulates vascular branching during angiogenesis. As a dependence receptor it also induces apoptosis when netrin is absent, by activating DAPK1.
The HGNC name is unc-5 netrin receptor B, and UniProt calls the protein Netrin receptor UNC5B. Aliases and previous symbols include UNC5H2 and p53RDL1, and earlier names refer to unc-5 homolog B (C. elegans). Two alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described.
Mouse and rat both carry an orthologue named Unc5b. NCBI notes that dependence receptors such as UNC5B are involved in embryogenesis and in cancer progression, reflecting their roles in pro- and anti-apoptotic processes. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other unc-5 family netrin receptors and related UNC proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q8IZJ1; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.