Ephrin-B2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNB2 gene. [5]
This gene encodes a member of the ephrin (EPH) family. The ephrins and EPH-related receptors comprise the largest subfamily of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases and have been implicated in mediating developmental events, especially in the nervous system and in erythropoiesis. Based on their structures and sequence relationships, ephrins are divided into the ephrin-A (EFNA) class, which are anchored to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage, and the ephrin-B (EFNB) class, which are transmembrane proteins. This gene encodes an EFNB class ephrin which binds to the EPHB4 and EPHA3 receptors. [6]
EFNB2 gene has been observed progressively downregulated in Human papillomavirus-positive neoplastic keratinocytes derived from uterine cervical preneoplastic lesions at different levels of malignancy. [7] For this reason, EFNB2 is likely to be associated with tumorigenesis and may be a potential prognostic marker for uterine cervical preneoplastic lesions progression. [7]
EFNB2 has been shown to interact with EPHA3 [8] [9] and EPHB1 in optic chiasm development. [10]
EFNB2 has also been shown to serve as a receptor for Hendra Virus and Nipah Virus, mediating entry into the cell during infection. [11]
Eph receptors are a group of receptors that are activated in response to binding with Eph receptor-interacting proteins (Ephrins). Ephs form the largest known subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Both Eph receptors and their corresponding ephrin ligands are membrane-bound proteins that require direct cell-cell interactions for Eph receptor activation. Eph/ephrin signaling has been implicated in the regulation of a host of processes critical to embryonic development including axon guidance, formation of tissue boundaries, cell migration, and segmentation. Additionally, Eph/ephrin signaling has been identified to play a critical role in the maintenance of several processes during adulthood including long-term potentiation, angiogenesis, and stem cell differentiation and cancer.
Ephrin B1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNB1 gene. It is a member of the ephrin family. The encoded protein is a type I membrane protein and a ligand of Eph-related receptor tyrosine kinases. It may play a role in cell adhesion and function in the development or maintenance of the nervous system.
Ephrin type-B receptor 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHB2 gene.
EPH receptor A2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA2 gene.
Ephrin type-B receptor 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHB4 gene.
Ephrin A1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNA1 gene.
EPH receptor A4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA4 gene.
Ephrin type-B receptor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHB1 gene.
EPH receptor A3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA3 gene.
Ephrin type-B receptor 6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHB6 gene.
Ephrin type-A receptor 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA8 gene.
Ephrin type-A receptor 7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA7 gene.
EPH receptor A5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA5 gene.
Ephrin A4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNA4 gene.
Ephrin-A2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNA2 gene.
Ephrin A3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNA3 gene.
Ephrin-B3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNB3 gene.
EPH receptor A1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA1 gene.
Ephrin type-B receptor 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHB3 gene.
Ephrin A5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNA5 gene.