A paradigm shift in EPH receptor interaction: biological relevance of EPHB6 interaction with EPHA2 and EPHB2 in breast carcinoma cell lines.

EPH receptors are the largest known family of receptor tyrosine kinases characterized in humans. These proteins are involved in axon guidance, tissue organization, synaptic plasticity, vascular development and the progression of various diseases including cancer. The varied biological effects of EPH receptors are mediated in part by the expression of these proteins and their intracellular binding proteins.

DNA-based assay for EPHB6 expression in breast carcinoma cells as a potential diagnostic test for detecting tumor cells in circulation.

The early detection of breast cancer is critical for improved treatment and better management of the disease. The dissemination of tumor cells into the blood stream is known to occur early in tumor progression and these circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may be detectable before the occurrence of tumor metastasis. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) can be exploited for detecting CTCs on the basis of differential methylation of numerous gene promoters in normal and carcinoma cells.

Potential clinical relevance of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands expressed in prostate carcinoma cell lines.

The family of Eph and ephrin receptors is involved in a variety of functions in normal cells, and the alterations in their expression profiles have been observed in several cancers. We have compared the transcripts for Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in cell lines established from normal prostate epithelium and several carcinoma cell lines isolated from prostate tumors of varying degree of metastasis. These cell lines included NPTX, CTPX, LNCaP, DU145, PC-3, and PC-3ML.

Transcriptional silencing of EphB6 receptor tyrosine kinase in invasive breast carcinoma cells and detection of methylated promoter by methylation specific PCR.

The receptor tyrosine kinase EphB6 is expressed at reasonable levels in normal breast cells. It shows decreased abundance in non-invasive breast carcinoma cells and is transcriptionally silenced in invasive breast carcinoma cells. We have characterized EphB6 promoter and correlated the expression of EphB6 transcript to differential methylation of the promoter region.

Invasiveness of breast carcinoma cells and transcript profile: Eph receptors and ephrin ligands as molecular markers of potential diagnostic and prognostic application.

The Eph family of receptors, with 14 members in humans, makes up the largest group of receptor tyrosine kinases. These Eph receptors, along with their ligands, the 8 members of the ephrin family of ligands are involved in diverse developmental functions, including hindbrain development in vertebrates, tissue patterning, and angiogenesis. These Eph receptors and ephrin ligands have also been identified as important regulators in the development and progression of cancer.