PLx

Plx is a three-letter term that appears as an acronym and a proper name in several different contexts. The most notable uses are in technology and biology, with other industry-specific uses appearing as well.

In technology, PLX Technology was a semiconductor company known for PCI and PCIe bridge and switch devices that connect processors to I/O and storage peripherals. Its products included PCIe switches and related controllers used in servers, data centers, and embedded systems. In 2017, Broadcom Limited (now Broadcom Inc.) announced the acquisition of PLX Technology for approximately $308 million in cash, after which PLX stopped operating as an independent company. The acquisition integrated PLX’s PCIe technology into Broadcom’s portfolio.

In biology, PLX is used as a shorthand related to the Plexin family of receptors. Plexins (for example, PLXNA1, PLXNB1, PLXND1) are single-pass transmembrane receptors for semaphorins. They participate in signaling pathways that influence axon guidance, neuronal migration, immune cell regulation, and cancer biology. The PLX designation appears in gene nomenclature to reference specific plexin family members in genetic and biomedical research.

Other uses of the acronym occur in branding, product naming, and context-specific terminology across various industries. Because meanings are highly dependent on the field, clarification is typically required when the term plx is encountered.