Vegfa

Developmental stage

Levels increase during pregnancy (maximum 5.5-fold at 5 days) and a more marked increase occurs during lactation (maximal 9.7-fold at 7 days). Levels decrease progressively during the phase of involution.

Domain

Isoform VEGF-3

Contains a basic insert which acts as a cell retention signal.

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 (PubMed:35455969).

VEGFA

Growth factor active in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth. 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 receptor 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 (PubMed:26503042). Also binds the DEAR/FBXW7-AS1 receptor (PubMed:16293765). May play a role in increasing vascular permeability during lactation, when increased transport of molecules from the blood is required for efficient milk protein synthesis (By similarity).

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

In developing embryos, expressed mainly in the choroid plexus, paraventricular neuroepithelium, placenta and kidney glomeruli. Also found in bronchial epithelium, adrenal gland and in seminiferous tubules of testis. High expression continues in kidney glomeruli and choroid plexus in adults.

Cellular localization

• N-VEGF
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
• Cytoplasmic in normoxic conditions and localizes to the nucleus under hypoxic conditions.
• VEGFA
• Secreted
• Isoform L-VEGF-2
• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• Secreted
• Extracellular space
• Extracellular matrix
• Isoform VEGF-1
• Secreted
• Isoform VEGF-2
• Secreted
• Isoform VEGF-3
• Cell membrane
• Peripheral membrane protein
• Remains cell-surface associated unless released by heparin.

Alternative names

Vegf, Vegfa, L-VEGF, Vascular permeability factor, VPF

Database links

swissprot:Q00731 entrezGene:22339

Other research areas

• Cardiovascular
• Immuno-oncology
• Neuroscience