Premium
The C. elegans pvf‐1 gene encodes a PDGF/VEGF‐like factor able to bind mammalian VEGF receptors and to induce angiogenesis
Author(s) -
Tarsitano Marina,
De Falco Sandro,
Colonna Vincenza,
McGhee James D.,
Persico M. Graziella
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.05-4147com
Subject(s) - platelet derived growth factor receptor , angiogenesis , growth factor , vascular endothelial growth factor , biology , platelet derived growth factor , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , vegf receptors , function (biology) , vascular endothelial growth factor a , cancer research , genetics
Members of the platelet‐derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (PDGF/ VEGF) family have been implicated in a variety of functions in vertebrates, especially angiogenesis. Here we identify and characterize a PDGF/VEGF‐like factor (named PVF‐1) from the nematode C. elegans . We show that PVF‐1 has biochemical properties similar to vertebrate PDGF/VEGF growth factors. More important, PVF‐1 binds to the human receptors VEGFR‐1 (Flt‐1) and VEGFR‐2 (KDR) and is able to induce angiogenesis in two model systems derived from vertebrates. Our results highlight the widespread evolutionary conservation of this important class of growth factors and raise the possibility that C. elegans can provide a simple experimental system in which to investigate how these factors function.—Tarsitano, M., De Falco, S., Colonna, V., McGhee, J. D., Persico, M. G. The C. elegans pvf‐1 gene encodes a PDGF/VEGF‐like factor able to bind mammalian VEGF receptors and to induce angiogenesis. FASEB J. 20, 227–233 (2006)