2y6m
Crystal structure of EphA4 kinase domain
Structural highlights
FunctionEPHA4_MOUSE Receptor tyrosine kinase which binds membrane-bound ephrin 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. Highly promiscuous, it has the unique property among Eph receptors to bind and to be physiologically activated by both GPI-anchored ephrin-A and transmembrane ephrin-B ligands including EFNA1 and EFNB3. Upon activation by ephrin ligands, modulates cell morphology and integrin-dependent cell adhesion through regulation of the Rac, Rap and Rho GTPases activity. Plays an important role in the development of the nervous system controlling different steps of axonal guidance including the establishment of the corticospinal projections. May also control the segregation of motor and sensory axons during neuromuscular circuit development. Beside its role in axonal guidance plays a role in synaptic plasticity. Activated by EFNA1 phosphorylates CDK5 at 'Tyr-15' which in turn phosphorylates NGEF regulating RHOA and dendritic spine morphogenesis. In the nervous system, plays also a role in repair after injury preventing axonal regeneration and in angiogenesis playing a role in central nervous system vascular formation. Additionally, its promiscuity makes it available to participate in a variety of cell-cell signaling regulating for instance the development of the thymic epithelium.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Publication Abstract from PubMedThe Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases regulates diverse cellular processes while the over-expression of a member of this family, EphA4, has been reported in a variety of malignant carcinomas. To gain insight into molecular mechanisms and to facilitate structure-based inhibitor design, we solved the crystal structure of the native EphA4 kinase domain in both the apo and dasatinib bound forms. Analysis of the two structures provides insight into structural features of inhibitor binding and revealed a hydrophobic back-pocket in the ATP- binding site of EphA4 which was previously unidentified. The structures suggest a route towards development of novel and specific inhibitors. Crystal structure of the EphA4 protein tyrosine kinase domain in the apo- and dasatinib-bound state.,Farenc C, Celie PH, Tensen CP, de Esch IJ, Siegal G FEBS Lett. 2011 Oct 22. PMID:22036717[10] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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