EPHB3
Description
The EPHB3 (EPH receptor B3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
Ephrin type-B receptor 3 is a protein encoded by the EPHB3 gene in humans. Ephrin receptors and their ligands, the ephrins, are essential for various developmental processes, especially in the nervous system. Based on structure and sequence, ephrins are divided into two classes: ephrin-A (EFNA), anchored to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage, and ephrin-B (EFNB), transmembrane proteins. The Eph family of receptors is divided into two groups based on their extracellular domain sequences and affinity for ephrin-A and ephrin-B ligands. Ephrin receptors constitute the largest subgroup of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. The protein encoded by this gene is a receptor for ephrin-B family members. EPHB3 has been shown to interact with MLLT4 and RAS p21 protein activator 1.
EPHB3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that binds to transmembrane ephrin-B family ligands on adjacent cells, triggering contact-dependent bidirectional signaling. This signaling, known as forward and reverse signaling, plays a crucial role in various developmental processes. It functions alongside EPHB2 in guiding axons during development, particularly those forming the corpus callosum and anterior commissure, major interhemispheric connections. Additionally, it collaborates with other ephrin-B receptors in dendritic spine maturation and excitatory synapse formation. EPHB3 also influences cell migration and positioning, contributing to angiogenesis, palate development, and thymic epithelium development. Furthermore, the EFNB2/EPHB3 complex regulates cell migration and adhesion during urethra tubularization and cloaca septation. Notably, EPHB3 plays a significant role in intestinal epithelium differentiation, separating progenitor cells from differentiated cells in the crypt.
EPHB3 is also known as EK2, ETK2, HEK2, TYRO6.
