Overview:

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

Gene Aliases:

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.