Table 2

Isoforms of human VEGF-A

Isoform
Size (amino acids)
Coding exons*
Features

VEGF-A121
121
1-5, 8
Secreted
VEGF-A145
145
1-6, 8
Binds NRP2 but not NRP1; secreted
VEGF-A165
165
1-5, 7, 8
The most abundant and biologically active isoform; secreted; binds NRP1 and NRP2
VEGF-A165b
165
1-5, 7, alternative exon 8
Secreted, endogenous inhibitory form of VEGF-A165
VEGF-A183
183
1-5, short exon 6, 7, 8
Sequestered in ECM but released by cleavage
VEGF-A189
189
1-8
Sequestered in ECM but released by cleavage
VEGF-A206
206
1-8 plus additional exon 6-encoded sequence
Sequestered in ECM but released by cleavage

*All isoforms contain exons 1-5 and 8, except VEGF-A165b, which contains an alternative exon 8. Abbreviations: ECM, extracellular matrix; NRP, neuropilin.

Holmes and Zachary Genome Biology 2005 6:209   doi:10.1186/gb-2005-6-2-209