Versican

Versican is a large extracellular matrix proteoglycan belonging to the lectican family. It is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, meaning it consists of a core protein (the apoprotein) to which chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are attached. Versican plays a critical role in tissue organization, cell adhesion, cell migration, and proliferation.

Versican is encoded by the VCAN gene. Four isoforms of versican (V0, V1, V2, and V3) exist, generated by alternative splicing of the primary transcript. These isoforms differ in the number and type of glycosaminoglycan attachment sites, resulting in variations in their biochemical properties and functions.

Versican is widely expressed in various tissues, including skin, cartilage, blood vessels, and the central nervous system. Its expression is often upregulated in pathological conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis, contributing to disease progression.

Specifically, versican influences cell behavior through its interaction with various cell surface receptors, including integrins, hyaluronan receptors (e.g., CD44), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). These interactions mediate cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation, influencing tissue remodeling and repair.

The chondroitin sulfate chains attached to versican are crucial for its function, contributing to the formation of hydrated matrices within the extracellular space and regulating interactions with other matrix components. These chains can bind to a variety of growth factors and chemokines, modulating their activity and availability to cells.

Aberrant versican expression and dysregulation of its interactions with other extracellular matrix components and cell surface receptors contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Therefore, versican is considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of these conditions. Further research into versican's complex roles is ongoing.