The full form of the FLT receptor is Fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor.
FLT receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that play crucial roles in cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Specifically, Flt-1 (also known as VEGFR-1) is a high-affinity receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Here's a breakdown:
- Fms: Refers to Feline McDonough Sarcoma, from which this tyrosine kinase family was originally identified.
- like tyrosine kinase: Indicates that these receptors are similar to tyrosine kinases found in the Fms protein.
- Receptor: Signifies its function as a cell surface receptor.
Therefore, "Fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor" encompasses the family, and individual members are identified with a number (e.g., FLT1/VEGFR1, FLT3, FLT4). The specific FLT receptors can be further specified by their ligands and tissue expression patterns. For example, FLT1 binds VEGF and is primarily expressed on vascular endothelial cells, playing a role in angiogenesis.
