Murai Keith K, Pasquale Elena B
The Burnham Institute, Neurobiology Program, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Neuron. 2002 Jan 17;33(2):159-62. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)00565-2.
The Eph receptors are multitalented tyrosine kinases capable of performing many tasks. The receptors together with their ligands--the ephrins--are well known to play a critical role in the initial assembly of neuronal circuits in the embryo. However, the recently discovered function of these receptors in the adult brain is now receiving significant acclaim. Three new articles show that the Eph receptors continue to be important in modifying the strength of existing neuronal connections (synapses). They do so in close association with at least one family of ion channels, the NMDA receptors.
Eph受体是具有多种功能的酪氨酸激酶，能够执行许多任务。众所周知，这些受体与其配体——ephrin蛋白——在胚胎期神经元回路的初始组装中起着关键作用。然而，这些受体在成人大脑中的新发现功能目前正备受赞誉。三篇新文章表明，Eph受体在调节现有神经元连接（突触）的强度方面仍然很重要。它们通过与至少一类离子通道——NMDA受体密切相关来实现这一点。
