Biochem/physiol Actions

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is a potent angiogenic factor. It promotes endothelial cell growth, lymphangiogesis and can also affect vascular permeability. VEGF-C can bind and activate both vascular endothelial growth factor receptors-2 and -3 (also known as flk1 and flt4 respectively). During embryogenesis, the protein may play a role in the formation of the venous and lymphatic vascular systems. Both VEGF-C and VEGF-D are over-expressed in certain cancers, and the resulting elevated levels of VEGF-C or VEGF-D tend to correlate with increased lymphatic metastasis.

General description

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is a member of the VEGF/PDGF family of structurally related proteins, is a potent angiogenic cytokine. It promotes endothelial cell growth, promotes lymphangiogesis, and can also affect vascular permeability. It forms cell surface-associated non-covalent disulfide linked homodimers, and can bind and activate both VEGFR-2 (flk1) and VEGFR-3 (flt4) receptors. During embryogenesis, VEGF-C may play a role in the formation of the venous and lymphatic vascular systems. Both VEGF-C and VEGF-D are over-expressed in certain cancers, and the resulting elevated levels of VEGF-C or VEGF-D tend to correlate with increased lymphatic metastasis. VEGF-C is expressed in various tissues, but is not produced in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Recombinant human VEGF-C is a 13.5kDa disulfide linked homodimeric protein consisting of two 116 amino acid polypeptide chains. Due to glycosylation the protein migrates as a 30.0-33.0 kDa band by SDS-PAGE analysis under non-reducing condition.

Physical form

Lyophilized with no additives.

Reconstitution

Centrifuge the vial prior to opening. Reconstitute in water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml. Do not vortex. This solution can be stored at 2-8°C for up to 1 week. For extended storage, it is recommended to further dilute in a buffer containing a carrier protein (example 0.1% BSA) and store in working aliquots at -20°C to -80°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Sequence

AHYNTEILKS IDNEWRKTQC MPREVCIDVG KEFGVATNTF FKPPCVSVYR CGGCCNSEGL QCMNTSTSYL SKTLFEITVP LSQGPKPVTI SFANHTSCRC MSKLDVYRQV HSIIRR