Background of the antigen
Secreted leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins 1-3 (Slit1-3) are secreted glycoproteins that influence axonal guidance and mediate normal neural development by acting as high-affinity signaling ligands for the repulsive guidance receptor, Roundabout (Robo) (1, 2). Within the developing central nervous system (CNS) of different vertebrate systems, Slit proteins are expressed in equivalent regions, suggesting a conserved function among vertebrate homologs (3,4). Slit is expressed in the midline of the central nervous system in both vertebrates and invertebrates, where it functions as a regulatory factor of mesodermal cell movement during gastrulation (5). Slit2 is a short range inhibitory guidance cue for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons that may mediate spatial progression of RGCs (6,7).
