Description
VEGF-A121 is one of five isoforms (121, 145, 165, 189, and 206) of VEGF protein, a cytokine belonging to the Platelet Differentiation Growth Factor (PDGF) family, and existing as a disulfide-linked homodimeric glycoprotein. In contrast to the longer isoforms, VEGF-A121 is more freely diffusible, and cannot bind to heparin. In vivo, VEGF is expressed predominantly in lung, heart, kidney, and adrenal glands, and the expression of VEGF is up-regulated by a number of growth factors, including PDGF, Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). VEGF signals via binding to two tyrosine kinase receptors: the Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1) and the kinase domain receptor (KDR). VEGF is a specific mitogen and survival factor, contributing to abnormal angiogenesis and cancer development.