Versican and Versikine: Regulator of Matrix Dynamism

Versican is a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In adults, it is constitutively expressed in large arteries and the brain, serving as a structural macromolecule of the ECM. In embryos, it is transiently expressed at high levels in the developing heart, cartilage primordium, dermis, and hair follicles. In the inflammation and cancer invasion, versican is transiently expressed in the stroma. There, versican plays a major role in forming a "provisional matrix." When the provisional matrix is replaced by the authentic extracellular matrix that should be, transiently expressed versican is primarily degraded by A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs (ADAMTS)-1, 4, 5, 9, 15, 20 15, 20, and an N-terminal cleaved fragment serves as a bioactive molecule, thereby termed versikine. This paper reviews the biological functions of versican and its degradation products.