LIGANDS FOR EPH-RELATED TYROSINE KINASE RECEPTORS ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY-REGULATED IN THE CNS

Elk is a member of the eph family of receptor-like tyrosine kinases, A lthough its function is unknown, elk is postulated to play a role in n ervous system development, Using Northern analysis, we examined the de velopmental regulation of RNAs encoding elk, and several ligands for t he eph family of RTKs, the LERKs, Expression of elk, LERK-1, and LERK- 2 RNAs is high in all regions examined in the embryonic and postnatal rat brain and decreases to low levels with age, One exception is the a dult olfactory bulb which continues to express a moderate level of LER K-2, In contrast, moderate LERK-4 expression was limited to the develo ping hippocampus and cerebral cortex, These data indicate that elk and some of the LERKs may play a role in nervous system development, main tenance, and/or regeneration. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.