Background：

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major growth factor for endothelial cells. This gene encodes one of the two receptors of the VEGF. This receptor， known as kinase insert domain receptor， is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase. It functions as the main mediator of VEGF-induced endothelial proliferation， survival， migration， tubular morphogenesis and sprouting. The signalling and trafficking of this receptor are regulated by multiple factors， including Rab GTPase， P2Y purine nucleotide receptor， integrin alphaVbeta3， T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase， etc.. Mutations of this gene are implicated in infantile capillary hemangiomas.