unc-5 encodes a netrin receptor; unc-5 activity is required cell autonomously for dorsalward cell and pioneer motor axon migrations along the body wall that are essential for normal locomotion and gonad development; unc-5 mRNAs are expressed throughout the entire life cycle, with increasing levels seen as animals progess to adulthood.
Enables netrin receptor activity and protein tyrosine kinase binding activity. Involved in several processes, including axon guidance; regulation of neuron projection development; and sex differentiation. Acts upstream of or within distal tip cell migration. Located in axonal growth cone. Expressed in several structures, including distal tip cell; excretory canal; head neurons; motor neurons; and somatic nervous system. Is an ortholog of human UNC5A (unc-5 netrin receptor A); UNC5B (unc-5 netrin receptor B); and UNC5C (unc-5 netrin receptor C).