The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide capable of inhibiting angiogenesis or neovascularization, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a first polynucleotide sequence comprising a coding sequence at least 95 percent identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of a polynucleotide SEQ ID NO:6, a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12, and a polynucleotide that encodes a fragment of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12; and wherein the nucleic acid does not encode for the amino acid sequence of amino acids 71-93 of SEQ ID NO:1. Pharmaceutical compositions, vectors, and methods for inhibiting neovascularization or angiogenesis comprising or utilizing the nucleic acids also are provided.