This gene encodes a member of the protein family comprised of both platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate platelet-derived growth factor subunit A, which can homodimerize, or alternatively, heterodimerize with the related platelet-derived growth factor subunit B. These proteins bind and activate PDGF receptor tyrosine kinases, which play a role in a wide range of developmental processes. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2015]
Forensic Context
A study in rats demonstrated that the PDGFA mRNA was elevated at 2 and 24 hours after a 14–15 psi blast exposure [Balaban et al. DOI:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.02.001].