The C. elegans pvf-1 gene encodes a PDGF/VEGF-like factor able to bind mammalian VEGF receptors and to induce angiogenesis.
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
Marina
M
Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy.
De Falco
Sandro
S
Colonna
Vincenza
V
McGhee
James D
JD
Persico
M Graziella
MG
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C508617:PVF-1 protein, C elegans; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D006493:Heparin; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2