Background:
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major growth factor for endothelial cells. This gene encodes one of the two receptors of the VEGF. This receptor,known as kinase insert domain receptor,is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase. It functions as the main mediator of VEGF-induced endothelial proliferation,survival,migration,tubular morphogenesis and sprouting. The signalling and trafficking of this receptor are regulated by multiple factors,including Rab GTPase,P2Y purine nucleotide receptor,integrin alphaVbeta3,T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase,etc.. Mutations of this gene are implicated in infantile capillary hemangiomas.