Mechanistic insight into how EphA2 shape controls its activity
Official title: Mechanistic Insight into Conformational Regulation of EphA2: From Structure to Function
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11430262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying how a protein called EphA2 changes shape to turn on or off signals related to blood vessel and heart disease, with results that could guide new therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $339,787 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM166613-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11430262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who may benefit from future targeted therapies arising from this mechanism.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cardiovascular disease may not directly benefit from this mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on EphA2, a receptor involved in vascular health and disease. It will use computer simulations, structural analysis, and targeted mutations to understand how the outside part of EphA2 controls its inner signaling. Researchers will express EphA2 mutants in cells to observe how conformational changes affect kinase activity. The work aims to connect outside-shape switches to internal signaling events that contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this mechanism could lead to new ways to prevent or treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by targeting EphA2 signaling.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked EphA2 conformation to kinase activity, but this project aims to define the precise molecular basis of this switch in the context of cardiovascular disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Xiaojun — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Shi, Xiaojun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Estrogen signaling and how the intestinal lining protects against injury
A study at Case Western Reserve University looks at how estrogen receptors in the gut lining help protect against intestinal injury and inflammatory bowel disease.
-
Diabetes: Long-term effects of intensive glucose control on complications
A long-term study follows adults with type 1 diabetes to see how keeping blood sugar close to normal affects eye, kidney, nerve, heart, and quality of life outcomes over many years.
-
Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study follow-up
This long-term study follows adults with type 1 diabetes to see how early intensive glucose control affects complications and quality of life over many years.
-
Role of THAP1 in brain cell support cells shaping brain development
Aims to understand how the THAP1 protein in oligodendrocyte lineage cells helps shape the brain’s environment and myelination during development, which may relate to a movement disorder called DYT6 dystonia.
-
New human monoclonal antibodies to stop malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax
A researcher team is developing human monoclonal antibodies to prevent and treat malaria from Plasmodium vivax, with a plan to test promising antibodies in primates and prepare for human trials.
-
PopCASE: A user-friendly tool to link cancer data for communities and researchers
Aimed at improving population cancer research, PopCASE helps connect patient cancer data with community information to inform better care and outreach.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.