A novel regulatory function of proteolytically cleaved VEGF-2 for vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells

FASEB J. 1997 May;11(6):498-504. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.11.6.9194531.

Abstract

By high throughput sequencing, we have identified a cDNA encoding a polypeptide related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) in the VEGF/PDGF gene family. It is designated vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGF-2). Similar to VEGF, expression of VEGF-2 mRNA is abundant in vascular smooth muscle cells and several highly vascularized tissues. VEGF-2 protein is expressed as a secreted 52 kDa precursor as well as the 30 kDa amino-terminal and 27 kDa carboxy-terminal cleavage products. The latter two cleavage products are linked via a disulfide bridge (or bridges) and can be copurified. Using copurified 30 and 27 kDa proteins, the effect of VEGF-2 on growth of several cell types, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, was determined. Our results demonstrate that VEGF-2 protein stimulates the growth of human vascular endothelial cells but inhibits growth of human aortic smooth muscle cells induced by platelet-derived growth factor. These studies establish VEGF-2 as a novel regulator for growth of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Aorta
  • COS Cells
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cattle
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • DNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / chemistry*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / isolation & purification
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Fetal Blood
  • Growth Inhibitors / physiology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Transfection
  • Umbilical Veins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B