Ephrin-A3 (EFNA3) Recombinant Protein

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 EFNA class ephrin. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

EFNA3: Cell surface GPI-bound ligand for Eph receptors, a family of receptor tyrosine kinases which are crucial for migration, repulsion and adhesion during neuronal, vascular and epithelial development. Binds promiscuously Eph receptors residing on adjacent cells, leading to contact-dependent bidirectional signaling into neighboring cells. The signaling pathway downstream of the receptor is referred to as forward signaling while the signaling pathway downstream of the ephrin ligand is referred to as reverse signaling. Belongs to the ephrin family.

Protein type: Ligand, receptor tyrosine kinase; Membrane protein, GPI anchor; Cell development/differentiation

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 1q21-q22

Cellular Component: integral to plasma membrane; plasma membrane; extracellular region

Molecular Function: ephrin receptor binding; transmembrane-ephrin receptor activity

Biological Process: axon guidance; cell-cell signaling; ephrin receptor signaling pathway