VCAN : versican
Description
The VCAN (versican) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 5.
The VCAN gene provides instructions for making versican, a proteoglycan protein with multiple sugar molecules attached. Found in the extracellular matrix of various tissues and organs, versican helps assemble and stabilize this matrix. In the eye, it contributes to the structure and consistency of the vitreous fluid. Versican is likely involved in regulating cell growth, division, adhesion, and movement. It may also play a role in angiogenesis, wound healing, inflammation, and tumor suppression. Additionally, it regulates the activity of growth factors involved in various cellular processes. The VCAN gene produces four different versions of versican (V0, V1, V2, and V3), each with unique sizes and locations within the body.
Versican plays a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication and the connection between cells and their surrounding environment (extracellular matrix). It participates in regulating cell movement, growth, and specialization (differentiation). Versican can bind to hyaluronic acid, a major component of the extracellular matrix.
VCAN is also known as CSPG2, ERVR, GHAP, PG-M, WGN, WGN1.
