PDGFRA, also known as CD140a, together with the structurally homolog protein PDGFRB (CD140b), are cell surface receptors for members of the platelet-derived growth factor family. They are members of the class III subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTKs) with the similar structure characteristics of five immunoglobulin-like domains in their extracellular region and a split kinase domain in their intracellular region. PDGFRA is expressed in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and mesothelial cell, and binds all three ligand isoforms PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB with high affinity, whereas PDGFRB dose not bind PDGF-AA. PDGFRA plays an essential role in regulating proliferation, chemotaxis and migration of mesangial cells. Recent studies have indicated that PDGFRA acts as a critical mediator of signaling in testis organogenesis and Leydig cell differentiation, and in addition, particularly important for kidney development. Additionally, PDGFRA is involved in tumor angiogenesis and maintenance of the tumor microenvironment and has been implicated in development and metastasis of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PDGFRA may represent a potential therapeutic target in thymic tumours. PDGFRA gene amplification rather than gene mutation may be the underlying genetic mechanism driving PDGFRA overexpression in a portion of gliomas.
