VEGF-C

Vascular endothelial growth factor C is also known as VEGFC, Flt4-L and VRP, it contains the C-terminal propeptide which has an unusual structure with tandemly repeated cysteine-rich motifs. Upon biosynthesis, VEGFC is secreted as a non-covalent momodimer in an anti-parellel fashion. VEGFC is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (PDGF/VEGF) family, is active in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and endothelial cell growth and survival, and can also affect the permeability of blood vessels. This secreted protein undergoes a complex proteolytic maturation, generating multiple processed forms that bind and activate VEGFR-3 receptors. Only the fully processed form can bind and activate VEGFR-2 receptors. The structure and function of this protein is similar to those of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D). VEGFC may function in angiogenesis of the venous and lymphatic vascular systems during embryogenesis, and also in the maintenance of differentiated lymphatic endothelium in adults. Overexpression of VEGF-C causes lymphatics to enlarge possibly facilitates metastasis.