From ER to Eph receptors: new roles for VAP fragments.
Dominantly inherited mutations in an endoplasmic reticulum protein called VAPB have been found in a subset of patients with a rare familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this issue, Tsuda et al. (2008) identify a secreted form of VAPB that binds directly to Eph receptors inducing their activation and signaling, providing fresh insights into ALS pathogenesis, including non-neuronal aspects of this disorder.
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA. susan.ackerman@jax.org
Susan L
SL
Ackerman
Gregory A
GA
Cox
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D036081:Receptors, Eph Family / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
C496748:VAPB protein, human; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D036081:Receptors, Eph Family