Rat Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 / VEGFR2 (KDR) Protein

Background

KDR, also known as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), is a critical protein in the regulation of angiogenesis and vascular development. This receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is encoded by the KDR gene located on chromosome 4q12 in humans. KDR is a member of the VEGF receptor family, which plays an essential role in the processes of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis by mediating the cellular responses to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The VEGF family consists of several ligands, with VEGF-A being the primary ligand for KDR. KDR is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells, where it regulates vascular permeability, endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Due to its pivotal role in vascular biology, KDR has been extensively studied in the context of cancer, where angiogenesis is a crucial process for tumor growth and metastasis. KDR's involvement in pathological angiogenesis makes it a significant target for anti-angiogenic therapies in cancer treatment. Moreover, it has implications in other diseases characterized by abnormal vascular growth, such as age-related macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis.