VEGFA165
VEGFA165 refers to a specific isoform of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA). VEGFA is a crucial protein involved in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. It plays a vital role in embryonic development, wound healing, and is also implicated in pathological conditions like cancer. VEGFA is encoded by a single gene, but alternative splicing of messenger RNA leads to the production of several different protein isoforms. The 165 amino acid isoform, VEGFA165, is the most abundant and widely studied isoform in humans and many other species. This isoform contains a heparin-binding domain and is known to be a potent stimulator of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. It exerts its effects by binding to specific receptor tyrosine kinases, primarily VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, on the surface of endothelial cells. Dysregulation of VEGFA165 expression is associated with a variety of diseases, making it a significant target for therapeutic interventions, particularly in cancer treatment where inhibiting angiogenesis can starve tumors.