EPH receptor A2

EPH receptor A2 (ephrin type-A receptor 2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EPHA2 gene.

Function

This gene belongs to the ephrin receptor subfamily of the protein-tyrosine kinase family. EPH and EPH-related receptors have been implicated in mediating developmental events, particularly in the nervous system. Receptors in the EPH subfamily typically have a single kinase domain and an extracellular region containing a Cys-rich domain and 2 fibronectin type III repeats. The ephrin receptors are divided into 2 groups based on the similarity of their extracellular domain sequences and their affinities for binding ephrin-A and ephrin-B ligands. This gene encodes a protein that binds ephrin-A ligands.

Clinical significance

It may be implicated in BRAF mutated melanomas becoming resistant to BRAF-inhibitors and MEK inhibitors. It also the receptor by which Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) enters host cells and small molecule inhibitors of EphA2 have shown some ability to block KSHV entry into human cells.

Interactions

EPH receptor A2 has been shown to interact with:

• ACP1
• Grb2,
• PIK3R1, and
• SHC1.