背景资料:EPHA2 is a member of the ephrin receptor subfamily of the protein-tyrosine kinase family. EPH and EPH-related receptors are implicated in mediating developmental events, particularly in the nervous system. Receptors in the EPH subfamily typically have a single kinase domain and an extracellular region containing a Cys-rich domain and 2 fibronectin type III repeats. The ephrin receptors are divided into two groups based on the similarity of their extracellular domain sequences and their affinities for binding ephrin-A and ephrin-B ligands. The EPHA2 gene encodes a protein that binds ephrin-A ligands. Mutations in the EPHA2 gene are the origin of certain genetically-related cataract disorders.