Andres Anne-Catherine, Ziemiecki Andrew
Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2003 Oct;8(4):475-85. doi: 10.1023/B:JOMG.0000017433.83226.22.
The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their membrane-bound ligands, the ephrins, play a central role in pattern formation during embryonic development and there is growing evidence that they are also instrumental in the control of tissue dynamics in the adult. The mammary gland is a paradigm for morphogenic processes occurring in the adult, since the gland develops predominantly postnatally and is subjected to continuous cyclic remodeling according to functional demands. Thus, pattern formation and the establishment of a functional organ structure are permanent themes in the mammary gland life cycle. In this paper we summarize the experimental evidence and discuss possible mechanisms by which Ephs and ephrins are modulating mammary epithelial cell adhesion, communication, and migration. Furthermore, we speculate on the different aspects of their influence on normal mammary gland development, function, and carcinogenesis.
受体酪氨酸激酶的Eph家族及其膜结合配体ephrins在胚胎发育过程中的模式形成中起核心作用，并且越来越多的证据表明它们在成体组织动态控制中也发挥着重要作用。乳腺是成体中发生的形态发生过程的一个范例，因为该腺体主要在出生后发育，并根据功能需求进行持续的周期性重塑。因此，模式形成和功能性器官结构的建立是乳腺生命周期中的永恒主题。在本文中，我们总结了实验证据，并讨论了Ephs和ephrins调节乳腺上皮细胞黏附、通讯和迁移的可能机制。此外，我们推测了它们对正常乳腺发育、功能和致癌作用影响的不同方面。
