Versican

Versican

Versican is a large extracellular matrix proteoglycan that plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and tissue morphogenesis. It belongs to the family of hyaluronan-binding proteoglycans and is found in the extracellular matrix of many tissues and organs.

Structure

Versican is composed of a core protein and multiple glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. The core protein consists of several distinct domains, including the N-terminal G1 domain, the central G2 domain, the G3 domain, and the C-terminal G4 domain. These domains are responsible for the binding of versican to other extracellular matrix components and cell surface receptors.

The GAG chains attached to versican are primarily composed of chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate. These chains provide versican with its ability to bind to hyaluronan, another important component of the extracellular matrix.

Function

Versican plays a crucial role in various biological processes. It is involved in cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation, which are essential for tissue development and repair. Versican also regulates tissue morphogenesis by influencing cell behavior and tissue organization.

In addition to its structural role, versican can interact with various growth factors, cytokines, and cell surface receptors. These interactions can modulate signaling pathways and affect cell behavior, such as cell survival, differentiation, and immune response.

Clinical Significance

Abnormal expression or dysregulation of versican has been implicated in several diseases and pathological conditions. For example, increased levels of versican have been observed in various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Versican can promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis by enhancing cell adhesion, migration, and angiogenesis.

Furthermore, versican has been associated with inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. It can contribute to the inflammatory response by interacting with immune cells and promoting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

See Also

• Extracellular matrix
• Proteoglycan
• Hyaluronan
• Cell adhesion
• Cell migration
• Tissue morphogenesis
• Glycosaminoglycan