EPHB2 Human

EPHB2 is a transmembrane protein consisting of 1,055 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 117 kDa . It is encoded by the EPHB2 gene located on chromosome 1p36.12 in humans . The receptor is characterized by an extracellular region containing a ligand-binding domain, a cysteine-rich domain, and two fibronectin type III repeats. The intracellular region includes a tyrosine kinase domain, a sterile alpha motif (SAM), and a PDZ-binding motif .

EPHB2 binds promiscuously to ephrin-B family ligands, which are also transmembrane proteins. This binding leads to contact-dependent bidirectional signaling, where the signaling pathway downstream of the receptor is referred to as forward signaling, and the pathway downstream of the ephrin ligand is referred to as reverse signaling .

EPHB2 is involved in several critical developmental processes:

1. Axon Guidance: EPHB2 plays a significant role in guiding commissural axons, which form major interhemispheric connections between the two temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex .
2. Cell Migration and Adhesion: The receptor is crucial for cell migration and adhesion during neuronal, vascular, and epithelial development .
3. Tissue Boundary Formation: EPHB2 helps in the formation of tissue boundaries by mediating cell-cell repulsion and segregation .

Mutations and dysregulation of EPHB2 have been associated with various diseases, including cancer. For instance, EPHB2 has been implicated in prostate cancer and brain cancer susceptibility . The receptor’s role in cell migration and adhesion makes it a potential target for cancer therapy.

Recombinant human EPHB2 protein is often used in research to study its function and interactions. It is typically expressed in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells and purified to a high degree of purity (>95%) for use in various applications such as SDS-PAGE and functional assays . The recombinant protein retains its biological activity, making it a valuable tool for studying EPHB2-mediated signaling pathways.