Receptor for netrin required for axon guidance. Mediates axon repulsion of neuronal growth cones in the developing nervous system upon ligand binding. Axon repulsion in growth cones may be caused by its association with DCC that may trigger signaling for repulsion (By similarity). Functions as netrin receptor that negatively regulates vascular branching during angiogenesis. Mediates retraction of tip cell filopodia on endothelial growth cones in response to netrin (By similarity). It also acts as a dependence receptor required for apoptosis induction when not associated with netrin ligand (PubMed:12598906). Mediates apoptosis by activating DAPK1. In the absence of NTN1, activates DAPK1 by reducing its autoinhibitory phosphorylation at Ser-308 thereby increasing its catalytic activity.

Highly expressed in brain. Also expressed at lower level in developing lung, cartilage, kidney and hematopoietic and immune tissues.

Belongs to the unc-5 family.
Contains 1 death domain.
Contains 1 Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) domain.
Contains 1 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain.
Contains 2 TSP type-1 domains.
Contains 1 ZU5 domain.

Phosphorylated on cytoplasmic tyrosine residues.
Proteolytically cleaved by caspases during apoptosis. The cleavage does not take place when the receptor is associated with netrin ligand. Its cleavage by caspases is required to induce apoptosis.
Palmitoylation is required for pro-apoptotic activity, but not for location at lipid rafts.

Cell membrane. Membrane raft. Associated with lipid rafts.