The present invention provides methods for modulating angiogenesis and/or apoptosis comprising modulating the activity of at least one VEGF-modulated gene polypeptide. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for modulating angiogenesis and apoptosis for the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with VEGF-modulated genes expression. The invention also provides diagnostic assays that use VEGF-modulated gene polynucleotides that hybridize with naturally occurring sequences encoding VEGF-modulated genes and antibodies that specifically bind to the protein. The invention also provides novel human and mouse arginine-rich proteins (ARPs) and nucleotide sequences. The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding ARPs and for a method for producing the protein