Phosphacan: a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan of brain that interacts with neurons and neural cell adhesion molecules

摘要

A phosphacan proteoglycan molecule, or a functional derivatives thereof, binds to brain cells and to a number of cell adhesion molecules including Ng-CAM and N-CAM. Such proteoglycan molecules or functional derivatives, as well as nucleic acids coding therefore are useful in treating a subject having a disorder associated with conditions where it is desirable to promote nerve regeneration. The compositions and methods of the present invention are also useful for diagnosing and monitoring human tumors such as gliomas and astrocytomas.