Overview:

TIE2 or TEK is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed principally on vascular endothelium. Disrupting TIE2 function in mice results in embryonic lethality with defects in embryonic vasculature, suggests a role in blood vessel maturation and maintenance. Angiopoietin-1 is a secreted growth factor that binds to and activates the TIE2 receptor tyrosine kinase (1). SHP2 and GRB2 are recruited to the activated TIE 2 kinase domain and are part of the cellular responses that mediate TIE2 function. TIE2 expression is upregulated in the endothelium of vascular "hot spots" in human breast cancer specimens. However, TIE2 is also overexpressed in areas of active angiogenesis in normal tissues (2).

Gene Aliases:

TIE-2, TEK, VMCM, VMCM1, CD202B

Genbank Number:

NM_000459

References:

1. Woolf, A S. et al: Angiopoietin growth factors and Tie receptor tyrosine kinases in renal vascular development. Pediatr Nephrol. 2001 Feb;16(2):177-84.

2. Peters, K G. et al: Functional significance of Tie2 signaling in the adult vasculature. Recent Prog Horm Res. 2004;59:51-71.