Disease relevance of EGFL7

• Targeted and naturally occurring mutations in the murine Megf7/Lrp4 gene, a putative coreceptor in the Wnt signaling pathway, cause polysyndactyly in the rodent [1].

High impact information on EGFL7

• We have identified a novel gene, named VE-statin for vascular endothelial-statin, which is expressed specifically by endothelial cells of the developing mouse embryo and in the adult, and in early endothelial progenitors [2].
• VE-statin, an endothelial repressor of smooth muscle cell migration [2].
• VE-statin is found in the cellular endoplasmic reticulum and secreted in the cell supernatant [2].
• The mouse and human VE-statin genes have been located on chromosome 2 and 9, respectively, they span >10 kbp and are transcribed in two major variants arising from independent initiation sites [2].

Biological context of EGFL7

• Importantly, the EGFL7 protein acted as a chemoattractant for embryonic endothelial cells and fibroblasts in a cell migration assay [3].

Anatomical context of EGFL7

• EGFL7 is a chemoattractant for endothelial cells and is up-regulated in angiogenesis and arterial injury [3].
• Within the cell, EGFL7 protein is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, suggesting that the protein is targeted for secretion [4].

References