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Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 15, 540–542 (1 June 2008) | doi:10.1038/nsmb0608-540

Evil versus 'eph-ective' use of ephrin-B2

Benhur Lee , Zeynep Akyol Ataman & Lei Jin

Nipah and Hendra viruses, a new genus of paramyxoviruses, can cause fatal encephalitis and are classified as 'Priority Pathogens' because of their extreme pathogenicity and potential for bioterrorism. The receptors for henipaviruses include ephrin-B2 (EFNB2) and ephrin-B3 (EFNB3), highly conserved receptor tyrosine kinases that have crucial roles in many developmental and oncogenic processes.