EFNA2 Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

This gene encodes a member of the ephrin family. The protein is composed of a signal sequence, a receptor-binding region, a spacer region, and a hydrophobic region. The EPH and EPH-related receptors comprise the largest subfamily of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases and have been implicated in mediating developmental events, particularly in the nervous system. 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. Posttranslational modifications determine whether this protein localizes to the nucleus or the cytoplasm. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

EFNA2: 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. With the EPHA2 receptor may play a role in bone remodeling through regulation of osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis. Belongs to the ephrin family.

Protein type: Membrane protein, GPI anchor; Ligand, receptor tyrosine kinase

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 19p13.3

Cellular Component: plasma membrane; extracellular region; perikaryon; neuromuscular junction

Molecular Function: ephrin receptor binding

Biological Process: axon guidance; cell-cell signaling; olfactory bulb development; ephrin receptor signaling pathway; osteoclast differentiation; bone remodeling