Angiopoietin-2
Angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2, Ang2) is a secreted member of the angiopoietin family of growth factors. It binds the endothelial TEK/TIE2 receptor, antagonises angiopoietin-1 and shapes angiogenesis, vascular regression and inflammation-related signalling. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Angiopoietin-2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Angiopoietin-2 binds the endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase TEK, also called TIE2. It competes with angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1) for the same binding site and so modulates ANGPT1 signalling. It can nonetheless induce tyrosine phosphorylation of TEK/TIE2 when ANGPT1 is absent. The outcome depends on context. Without angiogenic inducers such as VEGF, Angiopoietin-2 loosens cell-matrix contacts, which may trigger endothelial cell apoptosis and vascular regression. Together with VEGF, it may facilitate endothelial cell migration and proliferation and act as a permissive angiogenic signal. It is also involved in regulating lymphangiogenesis.
The ANGPT2 gene encodes a secreted protein of the angiopoietin family of growth factors. HGNC places it among receptor ligands, fibrinogen C domain-containing proteins and the angiopoietins. Mouse and rat both carry an orthologous Angpt2 gene, so the biology can be studied in common rodent models. The protein is often called Ang2 in the literature, and researchers search for it as an Angiopoietin-2 protein, antibody or ELISA target.
NCBI describes Angiopoietin-2 as an antagonist of angiopoietin-1 that disrupts the vascular remodelling ability of angiopoietin-1. It affects angiogenesis during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis and may induce endothelial cell apoptosis. It is upregulated in multiple inflammatory diseases and is implicated in the direct control of inflammation-related signalling pathways. The gene also serves as a prognostic biomarker for acute respiratory distress syndrome, which makes the protein relevant to both vascular biology and inflammation research.
Angiopoietin-2 acts with or without VEGF to either permit angiogenic signals or promote endothelial apoptosis and vessel regression.
It competes with angiopoietin-1 for TEK/TIE2 and can still induce receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, making it a model ligand for studying signal modulation.
Angiopoietin-2 is upregulated in multiple inflammatory diseases and is implicated in direct control of inflammation-related signalling pathways.
The protein influences tumorigenesis-related angiogenesis, and the gene serves as a prognostic biomarker for acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Angiopoietin-2 binds TEK/TIE2 and competes with angiopoietin-1, modulating its signalling. Without VEGF it may drive endothelial apoptosis and vascular regression. With VEGF it may support endothelial migration and proliferation. It also takes part in regulating lymphangiogenesis.
The official gene symbol is ANGPT2, and HGNC names the gene angiopoietin 2. The common alias is Ang2. HGNC records no previous names. The protein is secreted and belongs to the angiopoietin group of receptor ligands that contain a fibrinogen C domain.
Mouse and rat each have an Angpt2 ortholog. NCBI notes that Angiopoietin-2 is upregulated in multiple inflammatory diseases and that the gene is a prognostic biomarker for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other angiopoietin and angiopoietin-like family members that are relevant to vascular biology and growth factor signalling.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O15123; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.