| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2202770 | Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology | 2012 | 8 Pages |
Eph receptors and their ligands ephrins comprise a complex signaling system with diverse functions that span a wide range of tissues and developmental stages. The variety of Eph receptor functions stems from their ability to mediate bidirectional signaling through trans-cellular Eph/ephrin interactions. Initially thought to act by directing repulsion between cells, Ephs have also been demonstrated to induce and maintain cell adhesive responses at excitatory synapses in the central nervous system. EphB receptors are essential to the development and maintenance of dendritic spines, which accommodate the postsynaptic sites of most glutamatergic excitatory synapses in the brain. Functions of EphB receptors are not limited to control of the actin cytoskeleton in dendritic spines, as EphB receptors are also involved in the formation of functional synaptic specializations through the regulation of glutamate receptor trafficking and functions. In addition, EphB receptors have recently been linked to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and neuropathic pain, thus becoming promising targets for therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss recent findings on EphB receptor functions in synapses, as well as the mechanisms of bidirectional trans-synaptic ephrin-B/EphB receptor signaling that shape dendritic spines and influence post-synaptic differentiation.
► Synaptogenic effects of EphB receptors are mediated through cell adhesion. ► EphB receptors target RhoGTPases to control dendritic spine morphology. ► EphB receptors participate in establishing functional post-synaptic specializations. ► New role of ephrin-B/EphB signaling in pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and neuropathic pain.
