Yamazaki Yasuo, Morita Takashi
Department of Biochemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1 Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan.
Mol Divers. 2006 Nov;10(4):515-27. doi: 10.1007/s11030-006-9027-3.
Members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family are crucial regulators of neovascularization and are classified as cystine knot growth factors that specifically bind cellular receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 with high but variable affinity and selectivity. The VEGF family has recently been expanded and currently comprises seven members: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, placenta growth factor (PlGF), VEGF-C, VEGF-D, viral VEGF (also known as VEGF-E), and snake venom VEGF (also known as VEGF-F). Although all members are structurally homologous, there is molecular diversity among the subtypes, and several isoforms, such as VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and PlGF, are generated by alternative exon splicing. These splicing isoforms exhibit differing properties, particularly in binding to co-receptor neuropilins and heparin. VEGF family proteins play multiple physiological roles, such as angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, while exogenous members (viral and snake venom VEGFs) display activities that are unique in physiology and function. This review will highlight the molecular and functional diversity of VEGF family proteins.
血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）家族成员是新血管形成的关键调节因子，属于胱氨酸结生长因子，能以高亲和力但可变的亲和力和选择性特异性结合细胞受体酪氨酸激酶VEGFR-1、VEGFR-2和VEGFR-3。VEGF家族最近有所扩展，目前包括七个成员：VEGF-A、VEGF-B、胎盘生长因子（PlGF）、VEGF-C、VEGF-D、病毒VEGF（也称为VEGF-E）和蛇毒VEGF（也称为VEGF-F）。尽管所有成员在结构上同源，但各亚型之间存在分子多样性，并且几种异构体，如VEGF-A、VEGF-B和PlGF，是通过选择性外显子剪接产生的。这些剪接异构体表现出不同的特性，特别是在与共受体神经纤毛蛋白和肝素结合方面。VEGF家族蛋白发挥多种生理作用，如血管生成和淋巴管生成，而外源性成员（病毒和蛇毒VEGFs）表现出在生理和功能上独特的活性。本综述将重点介绍VEGF家族蛋白的分子和功能多样性。
