Characterization of a novel form of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2B) and expressionof VEGF and angiopoietin-2 during chicken testicular development and regression
J. Mezquita et al., Characterization of a novel form of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2B) and expressionof VEGF and angiopoietin-2 during chicken testicular development and regression, BIOC BIOP R, 260(2), 1999, pp. 492-498
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
The complex process of angiogenesis is controlled by the vascular endotheli
al growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors and by the recently isolated angi
opoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) that signal through the trans
membrane endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2. We report here the char
acterization of a novel form of Ang-2 (Ang-2B) with a truncated aminotermin
al domain resulting from an alternative splicing of the gene. While previou
s reports have found the expression of Ang-2 limited to the embryo, female
reproductive organs, and tumor tissues, we have observed striking changes i
n Ang-2 expression during chicken testicular development and regression. Th
e expression of Ang-2 and VEGF is abundant in prepuberal testis and low in
quiescent adult testis. Testicular regression is accompanied by high expres
sion of Ang-2 and very low expression of VEGF. These observations are in ac
cordance with the proposal that Ang-2 induces angiogenesis in the presence
of VEGF and vascular regression in its absence. (C) 1999 Academic Press.