Extracellular matrix protein implicated in guidance of migrating neurons as well as axons during development, synaptic plasticity as well as neuronal regeneration. Promotes neurite outgrowth when provided to neurons in culture. May play a role in supporting the growth of epithelial tumors. Ligand for integrins ITGA8:ITGB1, ITGA9:ITGB1, ITGAV:ITGB3 and ITGAV:ITGB6. In tumors, stimulates angiogenesis by elongation, migration and sprouting of endothelial cells (By similarity). Homohexamer; disulfide-linked. A homotrimer may be formed in the triple coiled-coil region and may be stabilized by disulfide rings at both ends. Two of such half-hexabrachions may be disulfide linked within the central globule. Interacts with CSPG4 (By similarity). Expressed in kidney, aortic valve, corneal limbus, periosteum around the ribs, cerebellum, stomach and intestine (PubMed:14709716). High levels of isoform 2 in lung and brain of newborn mice. High levels of isoform 5 in thymus, moderate levels in brain of newborn and adult mice. Low level of isoform 2 in adult brain. At day 11.5 dpc, expressed in maxillary process. at, 14.5 dpc, also detected in the stomach and at 15.5 dpc expressed in developing bones. During embryogenesis, also expressed in lung, cartilages, liver, brain and peripheral nerves (PubMed:14709716). In kidney, isoform 2 is expressed at birth and isoform 5 at 2 weeks of age. In intestine, isoform 5 is expressed at 13 dpc and isoform 2 at birth. In cerebellum, high levels of isoform 2 at 17 dpc are down-regulated to moderate levels in newborn mice and undetectable levels in adult mice. Similarly, moderate levels of isoform 2 expressed in cerebrum of 17 dpc are gradually down-regulated to undetectable levels in adult mice. N-glycosylated. Mice show enhanced novelty-induced activity, reduced anxiety, delayed resynchronization to daylight reversal and weaker muscle strength. Belongs to the tenascin family.