Tenascin C [T2H5]

Tenascin C is a high molecular weight, multifunctional, hexameric extracellular matrix glycoprotein expressed in association with mesenchymal epithelial interactions during development and in the neovasculature and stroma of undifferentiated tumors. It has been described under a variety of names: cytotactin, hexabrachion protein, J1, myotendinous antigen (MI) and glioma mesenchymal extracellular matrix (GMEM). The tenascin molecule is a disulfide-linked hexamer. The expression of tenascin is associated with development and growth, both normal and pathological, whereas the distribution in normal adult tissue is restricted. Tenascin C is a multifunctional, disulfide-linkedhexameric extracellular matrix glycoprotein expressed in association with mesenchymal epithelial interactions during development and in the neo-vasculature and stroma of undifferentiated tumors. In adults, it is restricted to certain epithelial-stromal interfaces and increases markedly in hyper-proliferative diseases and in stroma of many neoplasms, including gliomas, breast, squamous and lung carcinomas.