Repulsive Guidance Molecule A (RGMA)

RGMa is a repulsive guidance molecule for retinal axons. Furthermore neogenin functions as a receptor for RGM. Neogenin overexpression and RGM downexpression in the developing embryonic neural tube induces apoptosis. The apoptotic activity of neogenin in the neural tube is associated with cleavage of its cytoplasmic domain by caspases.

RGMA belongs to a family of repulsive guidance molecules that are (glycosylphosphatidylinositol)-linked cell-membrane-associated proteins. The three proteins, RGMa (this protein), RGMb and RGMc are 40-50% identical to each other, and share similarities in predicted protein domains and overall structure. All three RGM proteins appear capable of binding selected BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins).