Involved in the development of the olfactory system and in neuronal control of puberty. Induces the collapse and paralysis of neuronal growth cones. Could serve as a ligand that guides specific growth cones by a motility-inhibiting mechanism. Binds to the complex neuropilin-1/plexin-1. Interacts with PLXND1. Expressed in the dorsal root ganglia. Strong binding to neuropilin is mediated by the carboxy third of the protein. The disease may be caused by variants affecting distinct genetic loci, including the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the semaphorin family.