Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), also known as Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (FLT-1), is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a crucial role in angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. This receptor is part of the VEGF family, which includes several proteins such as VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and placental growth factor (PlGF). VEGFR-1 is primarily involved in the regulation of vascular development and permeability.
VEGFR-1 consists of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. The extracellular domain is responsible for binding to its ligands, VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and PlGF. The binding of these ligands to VEGFR-1 triggers a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways that regulate various cellular processes, including cell migration, survival, and proliferation.
VEGFR-1 is known for its high affinity for VEGF-A, which is a key mediator of angiogenesis. Interestingly, VEGFR-1 can act as a “decoy” receptor by sequestering VEGF-A and preventing it from binding to VEGFR-2, another receptor that mediates angiogenic signaling. This decoy function helps to fine-tune the angiogenic response and maintain vascular homeostasis .
Recombinant VEGFR-1 D4 refers to a specific domain of the VEGFR-1 protein that has been produced using recombinant DNA technology. This domain includes the extracellular region of the receptor, which is crucial for ligand binding. The recombinant form is often used in research to study the interactions between VEGFR-1 and its ligands, as well as to develop therapeutic agents that target angiogenesis-related diseases.
The production of recombinant VEGFR-1 D4 typically involves cloning the gene encoding the extracellular domain into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host cell line such as HEK293 cells. The host cells express the recombinant protein, which can be purified using techniques like affinity chromatography .
Recombinant VEGFR-1 D4 is widely used in various research applications, including:
VEGFR-1 is a promising target for anti-angiogenic therapies, which aim to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in diseases characterized by excessive angiogenesis, such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy. By blocking VEGFR-1 signaling, it is possible to reduce tumor growth and metastasis, as well as to alleviate symptoms of other angiogenesis-related conditions .