Cis and trans interactions of L1 with neuropilin-1 control axonal responses to semaphorin 3A

Mutations in the L1 gene induce a spectrum of human neurological disorders due to abnormal development of several brain structures and fiber tracts. Among its binding partners, L1 immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecule (Ig CAM) associates with neuropilin-1 (NP-1) to form a semaphorin3A (Sema3A) receptor and soluble L1 converts Sema3A-induced axonal repulsion into attraction. Using L1 constructs containing missense pathological mutations, we show here that this reversion is initiated by a specific trans binding of L1 to NP-1, but not to L1 or other Ig CAMs, and leads to activation of the NO/cGMP pathway. We identified the L1–NP-1-binding site in a restricted sequence of L1 Ig domain 1, as a peptide derived from this region could reverse Sema3A repulsive effects. A pathological L1 missense mutation located in this sequence specifically disrupts both L1–NP-1 complex formation and Sema3A reversion, suggesting that the cross-talk between L1 and Sema3A might participate in human brain development.