Tyrosine-protein kinase that acts as a cell-surface receptor for VEGFA, VEGFB and PGF, and plays an essential role in the development of embryonic vasculature, the regulation of angiogenesis, cell survival, cell migration, macrophage function, chemotaxis, and cancer cell invasion. Acts as a positive regulator of postnatal retinal hyaloid vessel regression (By similarity). May play an essential role as a negative regulator of embryonic angiogenesis by inhibiting excessive proliferation of endothelial cells.

Can promote endothelial cell proliferation, survival and angiogenesis in adulthood. Its function in promoting cell proliferation seems to be cell-type specific. Promotes PGF-mediated proliferation of endothelial cells, proliferation of some types of cancer cells, but does not promote proliferation of normal fibroblasts (in vitro).

Has very high affinity for VEGFA and relatively low protein kinase activity; may function as a negative regulator of VEGFA signaling by limiting the amount of free VEGFA and preventing its binding to KDR. Modulates KDR signaling by forming heterodimers with KDR. Ligand binding leads to the activation of several signaling cascades.

Activation of PLCG leads to the production of the cellular signaling molecules diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the activation of protein kinase C. Mediates phosphorylation of PIK3R1, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, leading to activation of phosphatidylinositol kinase and the downstream signaling pathway. Mediates activation of MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and the MAP kinase signaling pathway, as well as of the AKT1 signaling pathway.

Phosphorylates SRC and YES1, and may also phosphorylate CBL. Promotes phosphorylation of AKT1 at 'Ser-473'. Promotes phosphorylation of PTK2/FAK1 (PubMed:16685275)

Interacts with VEGFA, VEGFB and PGF. Monomer in the absence of bound VEGFA, VEGFB or PGF. Homodimer in the presence of bound VEGFA, VEGFB and PGF.

Can also form a heterodimer with KDR. Interacts (when tyrosine phosphorylated) with CBL, CRK, GRB2, NCK1, PIK3R1, PLCG, PSEN1 and PTPN11. Probably also interacts with PTPRB.

Interacts with RACK1. Identified in a complex with CBL and CD2AP

Detected in normal lung, but also in placenta, liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues. Specifically expressed in most of the vascular endothelial cells, and also expressed in peripheral blood monocytes. Isoform 2 is strongly expressed in placenta.

Isoform 3 is expressed in corneal epithelial cells (at protein level). Isoform 3 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC)

The second and third Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domains are sufficient for VEGFA binding

• Unknown disease
• Unknown disease