Description
Description: Placental growth factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PGF gene. Placental growth factor (PGF) is a member of the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) sub-family - a key molecule in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, in particular during embryogenesis. PGF is also expressed in many other tissues, including the villous trophoblast. PGF is ultimately associated with angiogenesis. Specifically, PGF plays a role in trophoblast growth and differentiation. Trophoblast cells, specifically extravillous trophoblast cells, are responsible for invading maternal arteries. Under normal physiologic conditions, PGF is also expressed at a low level in other organs including the heart, lung, thyroid, and skeletal skeletal muscle. As a result of alternative splicing, three PlGF RNAs encoding monomeric human PlGF-1, PlGF-2 and PlGF-3 isoform precursors containing 149, 179 and 219 amino acid residues, respectively, have been described.
Protein Function: Growth factor active in angiogenesis and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to the receptor FLT1/VEGFR-1. Also promotes cell tumor growth (By similarity)