Versican isoforms modulate expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Versican is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan whose isoforms are differentially expressed, but little is known of their functions in the neuronal system. Here we show that isoforms of versican play different roles in neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth. Expression of versican V1 isoform in PC12 cells induced complete neuronal differentiation and increased the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in NGF-independent manners. The V1-induced neuronal differentiation was different from the NGF-induced differentiation, showing a specific profile of nAChR subunit expression and distinct kinetics of receptor-gated channel activity. Our results have implications for understanding how versican regulates neuronal development, function and repair.