VEGFA

Function

N-VEGF

Participates in the induction of key genes involved in the response to hypoxia and in the induction of angiogenesis such as HIF1A (PubMed:35455969). Involved in protecting cells from hypoxia-mediated cell death (By similarity).

VEGFA

Growth factor active in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth (PubMed:34530889). Induces endothelial cell proliferation, promotes cell migration, inhibits apoptosis and induces permeabilization of blood vessels. Binds to the FLT1/VEGFR1 and KDR/VEGFR2 receptors, heparan sulfate and heparin. Binds to the NRP1/neuropilin-1 receptor. Binding to NRP1 initiates a signaling pathway needed for motor neuron axon guidance and cell body migration, including for the caudal migration of facial motor neurons from rhombomere 4 to rhombomere 6 during embryonic development (By similarity). Also binds the DEAR/FBXW7-AS1 receptor (PubMed:17446437).

Isoform VEGF165B

Binds to the KDR receptor but does not activate downstream signaling pathways, does not activate angiogenesis and inhibits tumor growth.

Involvement in disease

Microvascular complications of diabetes 1

MVCD1

Pathological conditions that develop in numerous tissues and organs as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. They include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy leading to end-stage renal disease, and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic retinopathy remains the major cause of new-onset blindness among diabetic adults. It is characterized by vascular permeability and increased tissue ischemia and angiogenesis.

None

Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Post-translational modifications

Vascular endothelial growth factor A, long form

Produced by use of an alternative upstream CUG codon and post-translationally processed into the N-terminal N-VEGF form and the C-terminal secreted VEGFA form.

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the PDGF/VEGF growth factor family.

Tissue Specificity

Higher expression in pituitary tumors than the pituitary gland.

Isoform VEGF189

Widely expressed.

Isoform VEGF165

Widely expressed.

Isoform VEGF121

Widely expressed.

Isoform VEGF206

Not widely expressed.

Isoform VEGF145

Not widely expressed.

Cellular localization

• N-VEGF
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
• Cytoplasmic in normoxic conditions and localizes to the nucleus under hypoxic conditions.
• VEGFA
• Secreted
• Isoform L-VEGF189
• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• Secreted
• Extracellular space
• Extracellular matrix
• Isoform VEGF121
• Secreted
• Isoform VEGF165
• Secreted
• Isoform VEGF189
• Secreted
• Cell-associated after secretion and is bound avidly by heparin and the extracellular matrix, although it may be released as a soluble form by heparin, heparinase or plasmin.

Alternative names

VEGF, VEGFA, L-VEGF, Vascular permeability factor, VPF

Database links

swissprot:P15692 omim:192240 swissprot:Q96KJ0 entrezGene:7422

Other research areas

• Cardiovascular
• Immuno-oncology
• Neuroscience