Gene SymbolCSPG4
Full NameChondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (NG2)
Chromosomal Location15q24.2
Ensembl IDENSG00000173546
Associated DiseasesCancer, Multiple Sclerosis
The CSPG4 gene encodes chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (also known as NG2), a large cell surface proteoglycan expressed primarily on pericytes and certain progenitor cells. CSPG4/NG2 plays important roles in cell proliferation, migration, and tissue development [1].
NG2 is a marker for pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts, and is involved in maintaining vascular integrity and tissue repair [2].
CSPG4 functions as:
- Cell Proliferation: Promotes cell growth and proliferation
- Cell Migration: Facilitates cell migration during development and repair
- Pericyte Function: Marker and functional protein for pericytes
- Tissue Repair: Important for wound healing and tissue regeneration
- Tumor Growth: Expressed on tumor pericytes and perivascular cells
- Cancer: CSPG4 on tumor pericytes promotes metastasis
- Multiple Sclerosis: NG2+ cells in demyelinating lesions
- Fibrosis: Role in tissue fibrosis
- Pericytes: Primary expression site
- Progenitor cells: Mesenchymal stem cells
- Tumor vasculature: Pericytes surrounding tumor blood vessels
- NCBI Gene: CSPG4
- UniProt: CSPG4