Eph receptors and neural plasticity

Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are largely known for their involvement in br ain development but, as some of these receptor tyrosine kinases are also ex pressed in adults, their possible role in the mature nervous system has beg un to be explored. Evidence for the involvement of Eph receptors in synapti c plasticity, learning and memory is only emerging and needs corroboration. However, it is likely that the actions of Eph kinases in the adult brain w ill attract significant attention and become a fertile research area, as oc curred in the case of the neurotrophins.