VEGF, a homodimeric glycoprotein of relative molecular mass 45,000, is the only mitogen that specifically acts on endothelial cells. The importance of VEGF and its receptor system in tumor growth and intervention in this system may provide promising approaches to cancer therapy. VEGF receptor 2 is a member of a receptor tyrosine kinase family. Like other growth factor receptors, upon ligand binding VEGF receptor 2 dimerises and is autophosphorylated on multiple tyrosine residues.
