TEK receptor tyrosine kinase (also known as Angiopoietin-1 receptor) (TIE2)

The TEK receptor tyrosine kinase (abbreviated as TIE2) is a cell-surface receptor with intrinsic kinase activity and is encoded by the TEK gene on chromosome 9. Its ligand, primarily angiopoietin-1, binds to the unique extracellular domain (comprising immunoglobulin-like, EGF-like, and fibronectin type III repeats), activating intracellular signaling critical for embryonic and adult vascular development, vessel integrity, and angiogenesis. TEK/TIE2 is mostly expressed in vascular endothelial cells, essential for maintaining vascular homeostasis, and also found in certain stem cell populations and tumor-associated cells. Genetic mutations or dysregulation contribute to diseases such as venous malformations, congenital glaucoma, allergic diseases, and cancer, making TEK/TIE2 both a diagnostic marker and a promising therapeutic target for drugs modulating angiogenesis and vascular remodeling.

Other names

Angiopoietin-1 receptorCD202BTie2TEK tyrosine kinase, endothelialTie-2GLC3EVMCM, VMCM1soluble TIE2 variant 1/2

Kinase inhibition: drugs inhibit the phosphorylation activity of Tie2, blocking downstream signaling for angiogenesis and vascular maturation. Disrupt angiopoietin/Tie2 signaling: compounds may modulate the effects of angiopoietins, impacting vessel formation and stabilization.