TNC Gene
Introduction
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">TNC Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>TNC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Tenascin C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Genomic Location</td>
<td>9q33.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td>187380</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000052850</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P24821</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Approach</td>
<td>Status</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Small molecule inhibitors</td>
<td>Preclinical</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Monoclonal antibodies</td>
<td>Preclinical</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene therapy</td>
<td>Research</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/carcinoma" style="color:#ef9a9a">Carcinoma</a>, <a href="/wiki/fibrosis" style="color:#ef9a9a">Fibrosis</a>, <a href="/wiki/liver-fibrosis" style="color:#ef9a9a">Liver fibrosis</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">34 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
Tnc Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
TNC encodes an extracellular matrix glycoprotein implicated in neural development, synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation. TNC expression increases in AD brain and may contribute to plaque formation and astrocyte reactivity. [@tucker2020]
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
The TNC (Tenascin C) gene encodes an extracellular matrix glycoprotein involved in neural development, synaptic plasticity, and tissue repair. Tenascin C is upregulated in response to injury and inflammation and modulates neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and glial scarring. Elevated TNC is observed in Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. [@feger2017]
This gene is involved in:
- Extracellular matrix: Modulates ECM structure and function
- Synaptic plasticity: Regulates synapse formation and elimination
- Wound healing: Promotes tissue repair and glial scarring
- Disease associations: Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, glioma, fibrosis
Gene Overview
Normal Function
The TNC gene encodes Tenascin C, a protein expressed in various brain regions including the cerebral [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The protein is involved in extracellular matrix organization, neural development, and tissue repair.
Disease Associations
TNC has been implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases:
Alzheimer's Disease
Tenascin C is an extracellular matrix protein upregulated in AD brain, particularly around amyloid plaques. It may influence [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) aggregation and astrocyte reactivity. TNC is also involved in synaptic plasticity and is elevated in response to neuronal injury.
Parkinson's Disease
Tenascin C is an extracellular matrix protein upregulated in AD brain, particularly around amyloid plaques. It may influence [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) aggregation and astrocyte reactivity. TNC is also involved in synaptic plasticity and is elevated in response to neuronal injury.
Other Neurodegenerative Conditions
"Alzheimer's Disease", 'Glioblastoma', 'Fibrosis', 'Wound Healing'
Expression Patterns
TNC is expressed primarily in [astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes) and [neurons](/entities/neurons) in the brain. Expression is elevated in AD and PD brain tissue.
Therapeutic Targeting
Key Publications
TNC polymorphisms and neurodegenerative disease risk. PMID: To be added
Expression of TNC in Alzheimer's disease brain. PMID: To be added
Role of TNC in microglial activation. PMID: To be added
Therapeutic targeting of TNC in neurodegeneration models. PMID: To be added
TNC as a biomarker in neurodegenerative diseases. PMID: To be addedBackground
The study of Tnc Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
See Also
- [Genes Index](/genes)
- [Neuroinflammation Pathway](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-pathway)
- [Microglia](/cell-types/microglia)
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
External Links
- [NCBI Gene](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/)
- [Ensembl](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000052850)
- [UniProt](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P24821)
- [OMIM](https://www.omim.org/entry/187380)
Therapeutic Implications
Tenascin-C represents a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration:
- Monoclonal Antibodies: Anti-TNC antibodies in development for cancer, potential for CNS applications
- TNC Peptide Inhibitors: Blocking TNC-binding domains
- RNAi Approaches: siRNA-mediated TNC knockdown
- Natural Modulators: Certain compounds reduce TNC expression
Research Applications
TNC is used as a biomarker for:
- Astrocyte activation in neuroinflammation
- CNS injury and repair processes
- Glioma progression (outside CNS)
Animal Models
- TNC knockout mice: Viable with subtle neurological phenotypes
- Transgenic TNC overexpression: Enhanced astrocyte reactivity
- Spinal cord injury models: TNC upregulation during repair
- AD models: TNC expression correlates with amyloid burden
Research Directions
Current research focuses on:
- TNC's dual role in repair vs. pathology
- Developing TNC-targeting therapeutics
- TNC as biomarker for neuroinflammation
- Understanding TNC isoform functions
See Also
- Extracellular Matrix
- [Astrocytes](/cell-types/astrocytes) Neuroinflammation
- Glial Scarring
- CNS Repair
External Links
- [UniProt: Q6UYF5](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q6UYF5)
- [NCBI Gene: 7052](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7052)
- [Allen Brain Atlas](https://portal.brain-map.org/)
References
Midwood K, et al, Tenascin-C as a driver of tissue fibrosis (2016)
Tucker RP, The role of tenascin-C in neural development (2020)
Feger M, et al, Tenascin-C in neurodegenerative diseases (2017)Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving TNC Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)