Slit2/Robo1 is a conserved ligand-receptor system, which greatly affects the distribution, migration, axon guidance and branching of neuron cells. Slit2 and its transmembrane receptor Robo1 have different distribution patterns in gliomas. The expression of Slit2 is at very low levels in pilocytic astrocytoma, fibrillary astrocytoma and glioblastoma, while Robo1 is highly expressed in different grades of gliomas at both mRNA and protein levels. Acquisition of insidious invasiveness by malignant glioma cells involves multiple genetic alterations in signaling pathways. Although the specific mechanisms of tumor-suppressive effect of Slit2/Robo1 have not been elucidated, it has been proved that Slit2/Robo1 signaling inhibits glioma cell migration and invasion by inactivation of Cdc42-GTP. With the research development on the molecular mechanisms of Slit2/Robo1 signaling in glioma invasion and migration, Slit2/Robo1 signaling may become a potential target for glioma prevention and treatment.
Slit2/Robo1 信号通路是一个进化保守的配体受体系统。该信号通路对神经细胞的分布、 迁移、 轴突导向起着重要作用。 Slit2 及其跨膜受体Robo1蛋白在胶质瘤中的分布是不同的。 Slit2在毛细胞性星形细胞瘤及胶质母细胞瘤中是低表达的, 而Robo1 在各级别的胶质瘤中均有高表达。 恶性胶质瘤细胞的浸润侵袭机制包括多条信号通路的多种基因的改变。 虽然Slit2/Robo1信号通路抑制肿瘤的分子机制尚不清楚, 但已有研究报道其抑制胶质瘤细胞侵袭的作用是通过抑制Cdc42-GTP的活性来实现的。 本文主要就Slit2/Robo1信号通路在胶质瘤中的作用进行详尽探讨。 伴随Slit2/Robo1信号通路分子机制研究的不断深入, 将会为有效治疗恶性胶质瘤提供新的策略和思路。