Ephrin A1

Ephrin-A1 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the EFNA1 is_associated_with::gene.

This gene encodes a member of the is_associated_with::ephrin (EPH) family. The ephrins and EPH-related receptors comprise the largest subfamily of is_associated_with::receptor protein-tyrosine kinases and have been implicated in mediating developmental events, especially in the is_associated_with::nervous system and in is_associated_with::erythropoiesis. Based on their structures and sequence relationships, ephrins are divided into the ephrin-A (EFNA) class, which are anchored to the membrane by a is_associated_with::glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage, and the ephrin-B (EFNB) class, which are is_associated_with::transmembrane proteins. This gene encodes an EFNA class ephrin which binds to the is_associated_with::EPHA2, is_associated_with::EPHA4, is_associated_with::EPHA5, is_associated_with::EPHA6, and is_associated_with::EPHA7 receptors. Two transcript variants that encode different isoforms were identified through sequence analysis.

Model organisms
is_associated_with::Model organisms have been used in the study of EFNA1 function. A conditional is_associated_with::knockout mouse line, called Efna1tm1a(EUCOMM)Wtsi was generated as part of the is_associated_with::International Knockout Mouse Consortium program — a high-throughput mutagenesis project to generate and distribute animal models of disease to interested scientists.

Male and female animals underwent a standardized is_associated_with::phenotypic screen to determine the effects of deletion. Twenty four tests were carried out on homozygous is_associated_with::mutant mice and one significant abnormality was observed: a transformation in vertebral number from lumbar vertebrae to sacral vertebrae.