VEGF 165: Proteins and Enzymes

VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) is the only growth factor that stimulates vascular permeability. It promotes endothelial proliferation and survival, angiogenesis, vasculognesis and inhibits apoptosis. VEGF mitogenic activity is specific for endothelial cell and that makes it distinct among other growth factors. VEGF is thought to be important in the pathophysiology of neuronal and other tumors, by functioning as a promter of angiogenesis for human gliomas. Human VEGF occurs in several molecular variants and the 165 form is the most common form in most tissues. Biological activities of VEGF are not species-specific and glycosylation is not required for biological activity.