ACVRL1

The ACVRL1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called activin receptor-like kinase 1. This protein is found on the surface of cells, especially in the lining of developing arteries.

The ACVRL1 protein is a receptor. It acts as a "lock" waiting for a specific protein, called its ligand, to serve as the "key." In the case of the ACVRL1 protein, the ligand is called transforming growth factor beta. The interaction between these proteins plays a role in the development of blood vessels. In particular, this protein interaction is involved in the specialization of new blood vessels into arteries or veins.

hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia - caused by mutations in the ACVRL1 gene

Dozens of mutations in the ACVRL1 gene have been found to cause hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2. Many ACVRL1 mutations substitute one protein building block (amino acid) for another amino acid in the ACVRL1 protein, which impairs the protein's function. Other mutations prevent production of the ACVRL1 protein or result in an abnormally small protein that cannot function. The shortage of functional ACVRL1 protein appears to interfere with the development of boundaries between arteries and veins, resulting in the signs and symptoms of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2.

other disorders - increased risk from variations of the ACVRL1 gene

A common genetic variation (polymorphism) in the ACVRL1 gene has been found to appear more often in people who develop arteriovenous malformations in the brain, but who do not have other signs or symptoms of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, than in the general population. The polymorphism replaces a particular DNA building block (nucleotide) called adenine with the nucleotide guanine (written as IVS3-35 A>G). This genetic variation may affect the development of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in an increased risk of arteriovenous malformations.