Recombinant Proteins
Product List
EFNB2 Mouse
Ephrin- B2 Mouse Recombinant
(Molecular size on SDS-PAGE will appear at approximately 28-40KDa).
EFNB2 is fused to 8 amino acid His-tag at C-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
EFNB3 Human
Ephrin- B3 Human Recombinant
EFNB3 is fused to a 25 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
EFNB3 Human, Sf9
Ephrin- B3 Human Recombinant, Sf9
Introduction
Ephrins, also known as Eph receptor-interacting proteins, are a family of proteins that serve as ligands for the Eph receptor, the largest known subfamily of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases (RTKs) . Ephrins are divided into two subclasses based on their structure and linkage to the cell membrane: ephrin-A and ephrin-B. Ephrin-As are anchored to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linkage and lack a cytoplasmic domain, while ephrin-Bs are attached to the membrane by a single transmembrane domain containing a short cytoplasmic PDZ-binding motif .
Ephrins exhibit a variety of biological properties, including their expression patterns and tissue distribution. They are membrane-bound proteins, meaning their signaling can only occur through direct cell-cell interaction . Ephrin ligands and their receptors are expressed in various tissues, playing crucial roles in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis . For instance, ephrin-B2 and EphB4 are essential in determining the arterial and venous fate of endothelial cells .
Ephrin-Eph signaling regulates numerous biological processes. During embryonic development, they guide axon growth cones, form tissue boundaries, and facilitate cell migration and segmentation . In adults, they are involved in long-term potentiation, angiogenesis, and stem cell differentiation . Additionally, Eph receptors and ephrins play significant roles in immune responses and pathogen recognition .
Ephrin-Eph interactions follow a bidirectional signaling mechanism. Upon cell-cell contact, high-affinity binding between Eph receptors and ephrin ligands occurs, initiating intracellular signaling events . These events can lead to changes in cell shape, motility, and adhesion . Ephrin-As typically bind EphAs with high affinity through a “lock-and-key” mechanism, while EphBs bind ephrin-Bs with lower affinity via an “induced fit” mechanism .
The expression and activity of ephrins and Eph receptors are tightly regulated through various mechanisms. Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications play critical roles in controlling their functions . For example, the Src family kinases and JAK-STAT pathways are involved in the reverse signaling of Eph and ephrins .
Ephrin-Eph signaling has broad applications in biomedical research, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic strategies. They are being explored as potential targets for cancer treatment, particularly in breast cancer, where targeting specific Eph receptors and ephrins can induce apoptosis and tumor regression . Additionally, their roles in angiogenesis and immune responses make them valuable in developing therapies for various diseases .
Ephrins play crucial roles throughout the life cycle, from development to aging and disease. During embryonic development, they guide cell migration and tissue formation . In adulthood, they maintain tissue homeostasis and contribute to processes like neuronal plasticity and vascular remodeling . Dysregulation of ephrin-Eph signaling is associated with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders .
