Midkine (MDK) Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

Midkine is a retinoic acid-responsive, heparin-binding growth factor expressed in various cell types during embryogenesis. It promotes angiogenesis, cell growth, and cell migration. Midkine is also expressed in several carcinomas, suggesting that it may play a role in tumorigenesis, perhaps through its effects on angiogenesis (summary by Reynolds et al., 2004 [PubMed 15197188]).[supplied by OMIM]

MDK: Developmentally regulated, secreted growth factor homologous to pleiotrophin (PTN), which has heparin binding activity. Binds anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) which induces ALK activation and subsequent phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS1), followed by the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3-kinase, and the induction of cell proliferation. Involved in neointima formation after arterial injury, possibly by mediating leukocyte recruitment. Also involved in early fetal adrenal gland development. Belongs to the pleiotrophin family.

Protein type: Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 11p11.2

Cellular Component: cell projection; cytoplasm; extracellular region

Molecular Function: heparin binding; growth factor activity

Biological Process: response to drug; nervous system development; Notch signaling pathway; cell migration; behavioral fear response; dentate gyrus development; adrenal gland development; short-term memory; cerebellar granular layer development; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; response to glucocorticoid stimulus; signal transduction; positive regulation of cell division; response to wounding; negative regulation of neuron apoptosis; cerebral cortex development; cell differentiation; defecation; regulation of behavior