EphB2 and ephrin-B1 expressed in the adult kidney regulate the cytoarchitecture of medullary tubule cells through Rho family GTPases.

Eph receptors and ephrin ligands are membrane-bound cell-cell communication molecules with well-defined functions in development, but their expression patterns and functions in many adult tissues are still largely unknown. We have detected substantial levels of the EphB2 and EphB6 receptors and the ephrin-B1 ligand in the adult mouse kidney by RT-PCR amplification. Immunolocalization experiments revealed that EphB2 is localized in the tubules of the inner and outer medulla and EphB6 is in the tubules of the outer medulla and cortex.