ABSTRACT
The Eph protein family,consisting of Eph receptors and their corresponding membrane-anchored protein ligands-Ephrin,is no doubt the largest receptor protein tyrosine kinases family till now.Interactions between Eph receptors and Ephrin ligands based on their special structure might make the Eph protein family one of new targets of disease′s treatment and consequently studies related to Eph proteins and their receptors have draw more and more attention.This overview will focus on recent progresses in the classification,gene expression,protein structure,function and protein-receptor interactions of the Eph protein family and their receptors.Much of the focus of this overview is on their physiological and pathophysiological role in nervous system and their therapeutic perspective from several aspects.
