CSPG4/HMW-MAA/MCSP/NG2 Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

A human melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan plays a role in stabilizing cell-substratum interactions during early events of melanoma cell spreading on endothelial basement membranes. CSPG4 represents an integral membrane chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expressed by human malignant melanoma cells. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

NG2: a transmembrane chondrotin sulfate proteoglycan expressed on several types of immature progenitor cells and human malignant melanoma cells. Plays a role in cell proliferation and motility of endothelial cells during microvascular morphogenesis. May also inhibit neurite outgrowth and growth cone collapse during axon regeneration. Cell surface receptor for collagen alpha 2(VI) which may confer cells ability to migrate on that substrate. May regulate MPP16-dependent degradation and invasion of type I collagen participating to melanoma cells invasion properties. Functions also as a signal transducing protein by binding through its cytoplasmic C-terminus scaffolding and signaling proteins. May promote retraction fiber formation and cell polarization through Rho GTPase activation. May stimulate alpha-4, beta-1 integrin-mediated adhesion and spreading by recruiting and activating a signaling cascade through Cdc42, ACK1 and P130Cas. May activate FAK and ERK signaling cascades. PKC-alpha-mediated NG2 phosphorylation may be a key step for initiating cell polarization and motility.

Protein type: Cell adhesion; Membrane protein, integral

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 15q24.2

Cellular Component: lysosomal lumen; cell surface; focal adhesion; integral to plasma membrane; Golgi lumen; apical plasma membrane; extracellular region

Molecular Function: signal transducer activity; protein kinase binding

Biological Process: chondroitin sulfate biosynthetic process; glycosaminoglycan metabolic process; activation of MAPK activity; tissue remodeling; pathogenesis; glial cell migration; dermatan sulfate biosynthetic process; chondroitin sulfate metabolic process; cell proliferation; positive regulation of peptidyl-tyrosine phosphorylation; carbohydrate metabolic process; chondroitin sulfate catabolic process; angiogenesis; transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase signaling pathway