Tenascin C (TNC)

The antibody (T2H5) reacts with at least two forms of Tenascin (apparent MW between 210 and 300 kDa), an. During embryonic development Tenascin appears to play a regulatory role in epithelial differentiation. In many mature tissues Tenascin disappears, but reappears in tissue regeneration and repair, as well as in neoplasia. Tenascin expression has been noted in a variety of epithelial neoplasms, including skin-, prostate-, breast- and colon cancer. Tenascin is a high molecular ECM glycoprotein (calculated MW 240 kDa), which contains hexamere repeat-rich single chains. It contains EGF-, Fibronectin III- and Fibronectin-similar structures. During organogenesis it is exprimed temporarily by many organs. During adulthood expression of the protein it reappears only in regeneration, wound healing and in stroma of various tumours. Probably it has an anti-adhesive function, which plays a role during tumour spreading. Tenascin is found in the central and peripheral nerve system, in smooth muscle, tendon and hyper-proliferative skin. Human Tenascin, extracellular matrix protein.