Epha7: A Protein Involved in Tissue Development and Maintenance

Target Name: EPHA7

NCBI ID: G2045

Epha7: A Protein Involved in Tissue Development and Maintenance

Epha7 (hEK11) is a protein that is expressed in various tissues throughout the body, including the brain, pancreas, and heart. It is a member of the Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family, which is a group of transmembrane proteins that play a critical role in the development and maintenance of tissues and organs.

One of the key functions of Epha7 is its role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for the control and coordination of a wide range of physiological processes in the body, and it is critical for the development and function of the brain. Epha7 is involved in the development and maintenance of the nervous system by helping to regulate the growth and differentiation of neural cells.

In addition to its role in the nervous system, Epha7 is also involved in the development and maintenance of the pancreas, which is a gland that produces insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. The pancreas is also responsible for producing enzymes that help to break down proteins and carbohydrates, which is essential for the digestion of food.

Epha7 is also involved in the development and maintenance of the heart. The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, and it is critical for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells. Epha7 is involved in the regulation of the contraction and relaxation of heart muscle, which is essential for the proper functioning of the heart.

In conclusion, Epha7 is a protein that is involved in the development and maintenance of various tissues and organs throughout the body. It is a potential drug target and may be useful for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of Epha7 in the development and maintenance of tissues and organs, as well as its potential as a drug target.

Protein Name: EPH Receptor A7

Functions: Receptor tyrosine kinase which binds promiscuously GPI-anchored ephrin-A family ligands 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. Among GPI-anchored ephrin-A ligands, EFNA5 is a cognate/functional ligand for EPHA7 and their interaction regulates brain development modulating cell-cell adhesion and repulsion. Has a repellent activity on axons and is for instance involved in the guidance of corticothalamic axons and in the proper topographic mapping of retinal axons to the colliculus. May also regulate brain development through a caspase(CASP3)-dependent proapoptotic activity. Forward signaling may result in activation of components of the ERK signaling pathway including MAP2K1, MAP2K2, MAPK1 and MAPK3 which are phosphorylated upon activation of EPHA7

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