As the known endothelial cells specific RTKs along with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, Tie-2 belongs to the Tie family of endothelial-specific receptor tyrosine kinases which plays a key role in cell proliferation, migration and survival during angiogensis. Tie-2 is predominantly expressed on vascular endothelial cells and binds all the known angiopoietin (ANGPT) ligands is a receptor for the angiopoietin (ANG) family: ANG-1, ANG-2, and ANG-3. The Tie-2 receptor and the angiopoietins as important regulators of tumor-induced angiogenesis and, therefore, cancer growth and metastasis. Activated Tie-2 activates several other effectors including endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), SH2 domain-containing phosphatase (SHP2), growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), the p85 subunit of PI3K.
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