| Modification Notes |
F-Spondin, also designated Spondin-1 or vascular smooth muscle growth-promoting factor, is a member of the subgroup of the Thrombospondin type 1 class molecules. F-Spondin is a secreted, extracellular matrix-attached protein which patterns axonal trajectories by promoting adhesion and outgrowth of commissural axons, in addition to inhibiting outgrowth of motor axons. F-Spondin contains two conserved domains at the amino terminus, FS1 and FS2, which are regions of homology with Reelin and Mindin. Additionally, F-Spondin contains either six or four thrombospondin repeats (TSRs) at the carboxyl terminus, which are typical of class 2 TSRs. The F-Spondin gene is expressed in the nervous system, mainly at the embryonic floor plate and the hippocampus. F-Spondin may play a role in promoting axonal regeneration after nerve injury and in inflammatory processes in the nervous system. |