Growth factor active in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth. Induces endothelial cell proliferation, promotes cell migration, inhibits apoptosis and induces permeabilization of blood vessels. Binds to the FLT1/VEGFR1 and KDR/VEGFR2 receptors, heparan sulfate and heparin. NRP1/Neuropilin-1 binds isoforms VEGF-165 and VEGF-145. Isoform VEGF165B binds to KDR but does not activate downstream signaling pathways, does not activate angiogenesis and inhibits tumor growth. Binding to NRP1 receptor initiates a signaling pathway needed for motor neuron axon guidance and cell body migration, including for the caudal migration of facial motor neurons from rhombomere 4 to rhombomere 6 during embryonic development (By similarity). Also binds the DEAR/FBXW7-AS1 receptor (PubMed:17446437). Homodimer; disulfide-linked (By similarity). Also found as heterodimer with PGF (By similarity). Interacts with NRP1 (PubMed:26503042). Interacts with isoform 2 of BSG (PubMed:25825981). VEGF121 is acidic and freely secreted. VEGF165 is more basic, has heparin-binding properties and, although a significant proportion remains cell-associated, most is freely secreted. VEGF189 is very basic, it is cell-associated after secretion and is bound avidly by heparin and the extracellular matrix, although it may be released as a soluble form by heparin, heparinase or plasmin. Additional isoforms seem to exist. Isoform VEGF189, isoform VEGF165 and isoform VEGF121 are widely expressed. Isoform VEGF206 and isoform VEGF145 are not widely expressed. A higher level expression seen in pituitary tumors as compared to the pituitary gland. By hypoxia. Regulated by growth factors, cytokines, gonadotropins, nitric oxide, hypoglycemia and oncogenic mutations. Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Produced by alternative promoter usage and alternative initiation. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Post-translationally processed to produce the secreted VEGF peptide and a N-terminal peptide N-VEGF. The unprocessed protein and the N-VEGF peptide may localize to the nucleus (PubMed:15896327), the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi (PubMed:11731620) or the extracellular matrix (PubMed:11563986). Produced by alternative promoter usage and alternative initiation. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Post-translationally processed to produce the secreted VEGF peptide and a N-terminal peptide N-VEGF. The unprocessed protein and the N-VEGF peptide may localize to the nucleus (PubMed:15896327), the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi (PubMed:11731620) or the extracellular matrix (PubMed:11563986). Produced by alternative promoter usage and alternative initiation. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Post-translationally processed to produce the secreted VEGF peptide and a N-terminal peptide N-VEGF. The unprocessed protein and the N-VEGF peptide may localize to the nucleus (PubMed:15896327), the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi (PubMed:11731620) or the extracellular matrix (PubMed:11563986). Produced by alternative promoter usage and alternative initiation. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Starts at an alternative upstream CUG codon. Belongs to the PDGF/VEGF growth factor family. Unusual initiator. The initiator methionine is coded by a non-canonical CTG leucine codon. VEGF entry