Plays an important role in blood vessel remodeling and angiogenesis. Not necessary for the initial formation of blood vessels, but is essential for their maintenance and remodeling. Can induce dephosphorylation of TEK/TIE2, CDH5/VE-cadherin and KDR/VEGFR-2. Regulates angiopoietin-TIE2 signaling in endothelial cells. Acts as a negative regulator of TIE2, and controls TIE2 driven endothelial cell proliferation, which in turn affects blood vessel remodeling during embryonic development and determines blood vessel size during perinatal growth. Essential for the maintenance of endothelial cell contact integrity and for the adhesive function of VE-cadherin in endothelial cells and this requires the presence of plakoglobin (By similarity).
