The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family of heparin-binding growth factors consists of five known members, denoted PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, PDGF-AB, PDGF-CC and PDGF-DD. The mature and active form of these proteins, an anti-parallel disulfide-linked dimer of two 12-14 kDa polypeptide chains, is obtained through proteolytic processing of biologically inactive precursor proteins, which contain an N-terminal CUB domain and a PDGF/VEGF homologous domain. The PDGFs interact with two related protein tyrosine kinase receptors, PDGFR-a and PDGFR-beta, and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types, including smooth muscle cells, connective tissue cells, bone and cartilage cells, and certain tumor cells. Alternative Names: Osteosarcoma-derived Growth Factor protein, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-CC protein, ODGF protein, Glioma-derived growth factor protein, PCGF protein, GDGF protein