Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3 (VEGFR3) is a 195 kDa transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. The VEGF receptor features seven extracellular immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a conserved intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. In adults, VEGFR3 expression is primarily restricted to lymphatic endothelial cells and is known to govern lymphangiogenesis. The binding of VEGF-C or VEGF-D to VEGFR3 induces trans-phosphorylation of tyrosine residues within its intracellular domain. This phosphorylation event facilitates the recruitment of downstream signaling molecules, ultimately leading to the activation of the ERK1/2 and Akt signaling cascades.
