protein_function: Neurotrophic protein; induces extensive neuronaldifferentiation in retinoblastoma cells. Potent inhibitor ofangiogenesis. As it does not undergo the S (stressed) to R(relaxed) conformational transition characteristic of activeserpins, it exhibits no serine protease inhibitory activity..
Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is also known as serpin F1 (SERPINF1). In humans, it is encoded by the SERPINF1 gene. PEDF has a variety of functions including antiangiogenic, antitumorigenic, and neurotrophic properties. It suppresses retinal neovascularization and endothelial cell proliferation. And Antiangiogenic function is also conferred by PEDF through inhibition of both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. In addition, the antitumorigenic effects of PEDF are not only due to inhibition of supporting vasculature, but also due to effects on the cancer cells themselves. PEDF is shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and increase apoptosis via the FAS,FASL pathway. Expression of PEDF in the human retina is found at 7.4 weeks of gestation, suggesting it may play a role in retinal neuron differentiation.
