Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Recombinant, Mouse, aa27-214 (VEGF 188, VAS, Vasculotropin, VEGF

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF or VEGF­A), also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a potent mediator of both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in the fetus and adult (1­3). It is a member of the PDGF family that is characterized by a cystine knot structure formed by eight conserved cysteine residues (4). Alternate splicing produces isoforms including 121, 145, 165, 183, 189, and 206 amino acid (aa) forms in humans, with 120, 164 and 188aa isoforms found in mouse (1­4). Mouse VEGF188 shares 98% aa sequence identity with the appropriate isoform in rat, and 89% with human, bovine and canine VEGF. While isoforms VEGF120 and VEGF121 are freely diffusible, VEGF188, VEGF189 and VEGF206 contain the highest number of basic aa, which bind heparin and tether these isoforms to the cell surface and extracellular matrix (3­5). Expression of VEGF188/189 is particularly high in the embryonic lung, where it is produced by type II alveolar epithelia (6). It is thought to be involved in lung, heart and liver vasculogenesis (5, 6). It is not sufficient for vasculogenesis during bone development, but may play a role in bone repair (5, 7). Tumor cell production of VEGF188/189 correlates with poor prognosis (5). VEGF binds the type I transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinases VEGF R1 (also called Flt­1) and VEGF R2 (Flk­1/KDR) on endothelial cells (4). Although affinity is highest for binding to VEGF R1, VEGF R2 appears to be the primary mediator of VEGF angiogenic activity (3, 4). VEGF188 binds VEGF R2 best when it is cleaved by uPA or plasmin into a 110­111aa form (4, 5). Human VEGF165 and VEGF189 also bind the semaphorin receptor Neuropilin­1 (8, 9). Source: Recombinant protein corresponding to aa27-214 from mouse VEGF 188, HEK293-derived. Molecular Weight: ~28-30kD, Endotoxin: <0.01EU/1ug (LAL method), Storage and Stability: Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20°C. Stable for 12 months at -20°C. Reconstitute in sterile buffer. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Reconstituted product is stable for 12 months at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.