Eph家族蛋白研究进展

Eph家族蛋白包括Eph受体和Ephrin配体,是蛋白酪氨酸激酶家族中的最大成员。由于其具有独特的受体-配体复合物的结构特点及其受体与配体间特有的相互作用模式,所以它们极有可能成为疾病治疗的药物靶标,故该蛋白家族的相关领域研究日益受到重视。该文首先从Eph家族蛋白的分类、表达特点、结构和受体-配体相互作用特点以及其在神经系统中的功能等几个方面简要综述了其相关领域的最新研究进展,进而从结构、作用模式、功能几方面对Eph家族蛋白在神经系统疾患防治中的潜在价值和未来的研究方向进行了探讨和展望。

Advancement in studies on Eph family proteins

The Eph protein family,consisting of Eph receptors and their corresponding membrane-anchored protein ligands-Ephrin,is no doubt the largest receptor protein tyrosine kinases family till now.Interactions between Eph receptors and Ephrin ligands based on their special structure might make the Eph protein family one of new targets of disease′s treatment and consequently studies related to Eph proteins and their receptors have draw more and more attention.This overview will focus on recent progresses in the classification,gene expression,protein structure,function and protein-receptor interactions of the Eph protein family and their receptors.Much of the focus of this overview is on their physiological and pathophysiological role in nervous system and their therapeutic perspective from several aspects.