VEGFR1/Flt1 [MD412]

Three cell membrane receptor tyrosine kinases, Flt1 (also designated VEGFR1), Flk1 (also designated VEGFR2) and Flt4, putatively involved in the growth of endothelial cells, are characterized by the presence of seven immunoglobulin-like sequences in their extracellular domain. VEGFR1 plays a crucial role in angiogenesis by serving as a high-affinity receptor for vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), which are essential for the formation of new blood vessels. On the basis of structural similarity to Flt1 and Flk1, it has been speculated that Flt4 might represent a third receptor for either VEGF or a VEGF-related ligand.