Used in research and development of therapies targeting angiogenesis, particularly in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Plays a key role in isolating and characterizing endothelial progenitor cells due to its expression on cell surfaces involved in blood vessel formation. Employed in immunoassays and protein-protein interaction studies to investigate TGF-beta signaling pathways. Serves as an antigen for monoclonal antibody production used in diagnostic tools and therapeutic applications. Facilitates purification and detection steps in biopharmaceutical processes thanks to the His tag, enabling efficient binding to nickel-based affinity columns.