Ephrin-A1 (EFNA1)

Ephrin-A1 (EFNA1) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface ligand for Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, especially members of the EphA subclass such as EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA5, EPHA6, and EPHA7[1][2]. It is a member of the ephrin family, which, with Eph receptors, constitutes the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. Ephrin-A1 plays a major role in contact-mediated bidirectional signaling that governs cell migration, adhesion, repulsion, and tissue boundary formation during embryonic development, neuronal patterning, angiogenesis, and erythropoiesis. Ephrin-A1 critically regulates tumor cell behavior, suppresses oncogenic signaling by driving EPHA2 internalization and degradation, inhibits glioma tumorigenesis, and promotes neovascularization in tumors, making it relevant in cancer biology. Ephrin-A1 is encoded by the EFNA1 gene, with multiple known isoforms and numerous aliases, and is implicated in various pathologies, notably gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma[1][2].

Other names

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 4TNFAIP4EPLG1LERK1LERK-1ECKLGGMANB61EFL1Ephrin A1Ephrin-A1EPH-related receptor tyrosine kinase ligand 1Immediate early response protein B61ligand of eph-related kinase 1

Inhibitors or agonists modulate cell migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis by targeting EFNA1 interaction with Eph receptors (especially EPHA2), resulting in altered receptor phosphorylation, internalization, and downstream signaling events (PI3K/Rac1, FAK, etc.)[1][2].