Studies On The Mechanism Of Action Of Angiogenin

Angiogenin belongs to a protein superfamily of RNase. It is the only member being able to stimulate angiogenesis. On the other hand, angiogenin is also the only angiogenic factor known to exhibit ribonucleolytic activity. It is a very basic, single-chain protein with molecular weight about 14 kD. It shares 33% sequence identity with bovine pancreatic RNaseA and has structurally equivalent counterparts for the two histidines and one lysine that comprise the catalytic residues for ribonucleolytic activity. Although the catalytic activity of angiogenin is rather weak, it is critical for its angiogenic properties. Angiogenin is expressed in a wide range of different human cells. It can induce angiogenesis in pathological and perhaps normal circumstances. It interacts with endothelial cells, mediates a number of cellular responses including cell adhesion and invasion, and is translocated to the cell nucleus where it may act on its putative RNA substrate. Clinical application of angiogenin isclosely associated with its potent angiogenic activity. Alteration of angiogenin activity to either promote or inhibit angiogenesis could have significant therapeutic potential in angiogenesis-related diseases.