Description
The protein encoded by this gene is an antagonist of angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), and both (Ang-1 and Ang-2) are ligands for the endothelial tyrosine kinase receptor (Tie2). These two ligands affect angiogenesis during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. The encoded protein disrupts the vascular remodeling ability of Ang-1 and may induce endothelial cell apoptosis. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene