| Modification Notes |
Brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitors, including BAI-1, BAI-2 and BAI-3, are integral membrane proteins belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor 2 family. In addition to inhibiting angiogenesis in the brain, BAI proteins are also expressed in the heart, thymus, skeletal muscle and a variety of cell lines. Expression patterns of BAI-2 in the developing brain distinctly increase as development progresses. Localization of BAI-2 in most neurons of the cerebral cortex is analogous with BAI-1 expression. The activity of brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor proteins has been inversely correlated with vascularization in some cancer tissues. Ischemic brain shows notably decreased expression of BAI-2 after hypoxia, which precludes increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF. A better understanding of the anti-angiogenic activity of these BAIs may offer potential therapeutic benefits. |