Recombinant Human DCC

Background

The DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma) receptor is a key transmembrane protein that functions as a receptor for netrin-1, a secreted guidance cue that directs axon growth and neuronal migration during embryonic development. DCC is essential for axon guidance, mediating attraction of neuronal growth cones toward sources of netrin-1 in the developing nervous system. Structurally, DCC contains immunoglobulin-like and fibronectin-type III domains in its extracellular region, enabling interaction with netrin-1, and intracellular domains that recruit signaling proteins, such as the Src family kinases, to transduce guidance signals. Beyond its role in neural development, DCC is also implicated in maintaining tissue homeostasis, acting as a dependence receptor to induce apoptosis in the absence of netrin-1. Mutations or loss of DCC expression have been associated with colorectal cancer and other malignancies, highlighting its role as a tumor suppressor. DCC is highly expressed in the developing central nervous system, particularly in commissural neurons, and its functions in axon guidance are critical for establishing proper neural circuitry.