Brevican core protein (BCAN)

Brevican core protein is a secreted proteoglycan predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, encoded by the BCAN gene. It belongs to the lectican family, sharing structural features such as an Ig-like V-set domain, two link domains, an EGF-like domain, a C-type lectin domain, and a Sushi/CRP-like domain. Brevican plays essential roles in forming and maintaining perineuronal nets—specialized extracellular matrix structures that enwrap neurons—and contributes to synaptic stability and plasticity during brain development. It is mainly produced by astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. The dominant isoform is secreted during brain development; expression increases following CNS injury. Aberrant glycosylation patterns are associated with high-grade gliomas but not with low-grade tumors or other neuropathologies. There are no approved drugs directly targeting brevican; however, it remains under investigation as both a potential biomarker for certain brain cancers and as a modulator of neural repair processes after injury.

Other names

BEHABBrevicanBCAN (gene symbol)Brevican core protein

No established drug mechanisms specifically targeting brevican; research is ongoing into modulators that may affect its function in the ECM and perineuronal nets.