Schematic representation of the pathway through which VE-cadherin and VEGF-R2 might induce Gas1 synthesis. As reported previously^15,44  VEGF-R2 may form a complex with VE-cadherin in confluent endothelium. VE-cadherin clustering at junctions and activation of VEGF-R2 leads to PI3-kinase and Rac activation,^36,44  which, in turn, may induce NFkB nuclear translocation⁴⁵  and induction of Gas1 transcription.