EFNB3 is critical in postnatal neural development:
Axon guidance: Mediates pruning and synapse formation via reverse signaling .
Hippocampal plasticity: Regulates synaptic plasticity, implicating it in learning and memory .
Neural stem cells: Modulates proliferation in the adult subventricular zone .
EFNB3 regulates blood pressure (BP) in a sex-dependent manner:
Hypertension: EFNB3 knockout (KO) mice exhibit elevated BP in females but not males, linked to increased vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contractility .
Human genetics: SNPs (e.g., rs3744263, rs7141) in EFNB3’s 3′UTR correlate with hypertension in diabetic patients .
Key SNPs Associated with Hypertension |
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SNP ID |
rs3744263 |
rs7141 |
EFNB3 expression impacts cancer progression:
Neuroblastoma: High EFNB3 levels correlate with favorable prognosis (91.7% 5-year survival vs. 47.6% in low expressers) .
Colorectal cancer: Interacts with EphA receptors to drive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell migration and invasion .
Therapeutic target: EFNB3 loss may enhance metastasis, suggesting potential for Ephrin-B3 pathway modulation .
Birds such as cormorants and hummingbirds lack EFNB3, which may facilitate synchronized wing movements by altering spinal cord circuitry .
Conservation in mammals underscores its role in neural and vascular systems .
Here’s a structured, research-focused FAQ for EFNB3 (Ephrin-B3) based on academic methodologies and findings from peer-reviewed studies. While EFNB3-specific data is limited in the provided sources, extrapolations are made using analogous gene/protein research frameworks:
Integrated Methodology:
Network analysis: Use STRING or GeneMANIA to map EFNB3 interactions (prioritize nodes like EPHB2, PTK2, and inflammation-associated genes ).
Spatial transcriptomics: Apply 10x Genomics Visium to human brain-immune interface tissues (e.g., choroid plexus) to localize EFNB3 mRNA.
Cytokine screening: Pair EFNB3 knockdown with Luminex multiplex assays to identify altered IL-6/TNF-α levels .
Stepwise Protocol:
hiPSC differentiation: Generate cortical neurons via dual-SMAD inhibition (reference ’s organoid protocol).
EFNB3 perturbation: Use lentiviral shRNA delivery (MOI=5, 72h post-transduction).
Phenotypic readouts:
Context-dependent signaling: EFNB3’s bidirectional Eph receptor interactions may yield opposing phenotypes in epithelial vs. neuronal models .
Compensatory mechanisms: Always include temporal analyses (e.g., 24h/48h/72h post-perturbation) to account for ephrin family redundancy .
Single-cell resolution: Integrate scRNA-seq (10x Chromium) to dissect EFNB3’s role in rare cell populations (e.g., neural stem cells ).
Ephrin-B3 is an approximately 50 kDa protein that plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system . It is a transmembrane protein with an intracellular tail containing highly conserved tyrosine residues and a PDZ-binding motif at the C-terminus . Ephrin-B3 interacts with EphB receptors, particularly EphB3, to mediate cell-cell communication and signaling pathways essential for various biological processes .
Ephrin-B3 is prominently expressed in the brain and is involved in brain development and maintenance . It is particularly important in the patterning of the nervous system, as evidenced by its expression at the dorsal and ventral midline of the neural tube in mouse embryos . Ephrin-B3’s interaction with EphB receptors influences axon guidance, cell migration, and the formation of neural circuits .
Recombinant human Ephrin-B3 is produced using a mouse myeloma cell line, NS0-derived human Ephrin-B3 protein . The recombinant protein is typically purified to a high degree of purity (>95%) and is used in various research applications, including functional assays and binding studies . It is available in both carrier-free and carrier-protein formulations, depending on the intended use .
Recombinant human Ephrin-B3 is used in research to study its binding ability and interactions with EphB receptors . It is also utilized in assays to investigate its role in cell signaling, development, and disease processes. The recombinant protein’s high purity and specific activity make it a valuable tool for researchers exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying ephrin-Eph receptor interactions .
Ephrin-B3’s role in the nervous system and its interactions with EphB receptors highlight its importance in developmental biology and neurobiology. Understanding the functions and mechanisms of Ephrin-B3 can provide insights into various neurological disorders and potential therapeutic targets.