Overview:

Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR or VEGFR) is a growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a pivotal role in endothelial cell proliferation and differentiation. KDR binds VEGF with high affinity and this interaction is implicated in angiogenesis (1). The expression levels of VEGF and KDR are highly correlated during the normal development of the ocular vasculature in humans (1). Induction of angiogenesis is a critical step in tumor progression, and inhibitors of KDR have been demonstrated both to promote tumor regression and reduce metastatic potential in preclinical studies (2). Autophosphorylation of KDR occurs at Tyr951, Tyr996, Tyr1054 and Tyr1059 and phosphorylation at Tyr1214 is associated with interactions with downstream effector molecules (3).