Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF), a Serpin with Potent Anti-Angiogenic and Neurite Outgrowth-promoting Properties

Abstract

AbstractPigment epitheliumderived factor is a member of the serpin superfamily of proteins, but one that lacks inhibitory properties against either serine or cysteine proteinases. Nevertheless it possesses a number of physiological properties that make it a potentially important protein in regulation of angiogenesis, in neuronal cell survival and in protection of neurons from neurotoxic agents. It is also a protein that is highly up regulated in the G0 phase of earlypassage cells compared with rapidly proliferating cells or senescent cells, and so is also linked to both the cell cycle and cell senescence. The determination of a high resolution Xray crystal structure of native PEDF provides insight into regions of the protein that may be involved in one or more of these functions.