The invention provides an isolated or purified nucleic acid molecule
comprising SEQ ID NO:1, which contains cDNA comprising exons 1-5 of a
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) joined to genomic DNA
comprising introns 5, 6, and 7 and exons 6, 7, and 8 of VEGF and a
mutation in one or more of the splice donor, branch point, and splice
acceptor regions, which promotes the production of a VEGF.sub.189
isoform. Expression constructs, compositions, and cells comprising such a
nucleic acid molecule also are provided by the invention.