Circulation research
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Circulation research · Jun 2010
Role of afadin in vascular endothelial growth factor- and sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis contributes to physiological and pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis. The Rap1 small G protein regulates vascular integrity and angiogenesis. However, little is known about the effectors of Rap1 involved in angiogenesis. It is not known whether afadin, an adherens junction protein that connects immunoglobulin-like adhesion molecule nectins to the actin cytoskeleton and binds activated Rap1, plays a role in angiogenesis. ⋯ These results demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism by which Rap1 and afadin regulate the VEGF- and S1P-induced angiogenesis.