Netrins

protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

thumb|240px|Netrin 1 knockout disrupts thalamocortical projections topography in the mouse brain. From Powell et al., 2008. Netrins are a class of proteins involved in axon guidance. They are named after the Sanskrit word "netr", which means "one who guides". Netrins are genetically conserved across nematode worms, fruit flies, frogs, mice, and humans. Structurally, netrin resembles the extracellular matrix protein laminin.