Vascular endothelial growth factor B also known as VEGF-B is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that, in humans, is encoded by the ''VEGF-B''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
VEGF-B is a
growth factor
A growth factor is a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cell proliferation, wound healing, and occasionally cellular differentiation. Usually it is a secreted protein or a steroid hormone. Growth factors are important for regul ...
that belongs to the
vascular endothelial growth factor
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, ), originally known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a signal protein produced by many cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. To be specific, VEGF is a sub-family of growth factors, ...
family, of which
VEGF-A
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''VEGFA'' gene.
Function
This gene is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/ vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and enco ...
is the best-known member.
Function
In contrast to
VEGF-A
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''VEGFA'' gene.
Function
This gene is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/ vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and enco ...
, VEGF-B plays a less pronounced role in the vascular system: Whereas VEGF-A is important for the formation of
blood vessel
The blood vessels are the components of the circulatory system that transport blood throughout the human body. These vessels transport blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen to the tissues of the body. They also take waste and carbon dioxide away ...
s, such as during development or in pathological conditions, VEGF-B seems to play a role only in the maintenance of newly formed blood vessels during pathological conditions.
VEGF-B plays also an important role on several types of neurons. It is important for the protection of neurons in the
retina
The retina (from la, rete "net") is the innermost, light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye of most vertebrates and some molluscs. The optics of the eye create a focused two-dimensional image of the visual world on the retina, which then ...
and the
cerebral cortex
The cerebral cortex, also known as the cerebral mantle, is the outer layer of neural tissue of the cerebrum of the brain in humans and other mammals. The cerebral cortex mostly consists of the six-layered neocortex, with just 10% consistin ...
during
stroke and of
motoneurons
A motor neuron (or motoneuron or efferent neuron) is a neuron whose cell body is located in the motor cortex, brainstem or the spinal cord, and whose axon (fiber) projects to the spinal cord or outside of the spinal cord to directly or indirectl ...
during
motor neuron diseases such as
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
VEGF-B exerts its effects via the
FLT1
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''FLT1'' gene.
Function
''FLT1'' is a member of VEGF receptor gene family. It encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase which is activated by VEGF-A, VEGF-B ...
receptor.
VEGF-B has also been found to control
endothelial
The endothelium is a single layer of squamous endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The endothelium forms an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel ...
uptake and transport of fatty acids in heart and skeletal muscle.
Interactions
Vascular endothelial growth factor B has been shown to
interact
Advocates for Informed Choice, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex traits. The organizati ...
with
FLT1
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''FLT1'' gene.
Function
''FLT1'' is a member of VEGF receptor gene family. It encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase which is activated by VEGF-A, VEGF-B ...
.
References
Further reading
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External links
PDBe-KBprovides an overview of all the structure information available in the PDB for Human Vascular endothelial growth factor B
{{Growth factor receptor modulators