Background information
Neuroglycan C is a brain-specific chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) implicated in the proliferation of neural stem and progenitor cells. Neuro-glycan C is a single-pass membrane protein that can manifest as a part-time proteoglycan depending on the tissue expressing it. In its proteoglycan form, Neuroglycan C exhibits chondroitin sulfate glycans and functions as a receptor for midkine, a growth factor that binds heparin, to affect cytoskeletal changes. By means of ectodomain shedding, the ectodomain of Neuroglycan C is able to enhance neurite outgrowth from neurons. Neurite growth stimulation is affected by both an EGF-like and an acidic amino acid domain found on the shed ectodomain. Both domains instigate neurite growth, however, these domains exhibit differing functionality as to number of neurites produced and neuron types stimulated.
