Q6UVK1

NG2 also known as melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4, MCSP, MCSPG, is a proteoglycan that plays a crucial role in stabilizing cell-substratum interactions during the early stages of melanoma cell spreading on endothelial basement membranes, which is vital for tumor progression. NG2 is primarily located on the surface of various cell types, including blood vessels in the rat embryo and endothelial cells in the central nervous system, where NG2 contributes to the structural integrity and functionality of microvessels. Additionally, NG2 is expressed on smooth muscle cells outside the CNS and serves as a novel marker for epidermal stem cells, promoting their clustering and patterned distribution.