Eph and ephrins in epithelial stem cell niches and cancer.

The family of Eph tyrosine kinase receptors is an important part of signaling pathways involved in development, tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Binding and activation of the receptors by their ligands, the ephrins, result in bidirectional signaling into both receptor and ligand expressing cells. Adult stem cell niches and tumors frequently express receptors and ligands, although their function is only beginning to be understood. Thus, Eph receptors and ephrins have become important molecules for understanding basic biological processes as well as tumorigenesis, and are promising targets for potential therapeutic intervention in human disease.