Neural extracellular matrix (ECM) protein involved in interactions with different cells and matrix components. Theses interactions can influence cellular behavior by either evoking a stable adhesion and differentiation, or repulsion and inhibition of neurite growth. Binding to cell surface gangliosides inhibits RGD-dependent integrin-mediated cell adhesion and results in an inhibition of PTK2/FAK1 (FAK) phosphorylation and cell detachment. Binding to membrane surface sulfatides results in a oligodendrocyte adhesion and differentiation. Interaction with CNTN1 induces a repulsion of neurons and an inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Interacts with SCN2B may play a crucial role in clustering and regulation of activity of sodium channels at nodes of Ranvier. TNR-linked chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans are involved in the interaction with FN1 and mediates inhibition of cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. The highly regulated addition of sulfated carbohydrate structure may modulate the adhesive properties of TNR over the course of development and during synapse maintenance (By similarity). Forms oligomers. Interacts with TNC and FN1 (By similarity). Interacts with BCAN and ACAN in a calcium -dependent manner. Interacts with CNTN1, SCN2B, PTPRZ1, and CSPG3. Brain-specific (PubMed:7679676). Expressed in oligodendrocytes and small subsets of neurons (mainly interneurons and motoneurons) of the cerebellum, hippocampus and olfactory bulb (PubMed:7679676). Expressed in dorsal root ganglia (PubMed:28270793). Expression in oligodendrocytes is highest between the second and third postnatal week and low in the adult. In contrast the expression in neurons increases from birth to third postnatal week and is continuous from late development to adulthood. Isoform 1 is the dominant form early in development. Isoform 2 is more prominent later in development and in adulthood. Transiently increased in dorsal root ganglia 1 day post-dorsal rhizotomy, returning to comparable levels 3 days post-injury (PubMed:28270793). Increased in dorsal root ganglia in response to both sciatic nerve crush and transection injury (PubMed:28270793). The EGF-like domains mediate interaction with CNTN1. The fibronectin type-III domains 3-5 mediate interaction with BCAN. The fibronectin type-III domains 1-2 and 7-9 mediate interaction with SCN2B. Contains N-linked oligosaccharides, O-linked sialylated structures (By similarity). Contains O-linked chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans. Contains N-linked oligosaccharides with a sulfated carbohydrate structure type GalNAc-4-SO4 or HNK-1 (SO4-3-GlcUABeta1,3GalBeta1,4GlcNAc). The levels of HNK-1 rise and fall in parallel to those of TNR during postnatal development of the cerebellum. In contrast, levels of GalNAc-4-SO4 are regulated independently from those of TNR, rising late in cerebellar development and continuing into adulthood. Early in postnatal development, GalNAc-4-SO4 is found predominantly on isoform 1, whereas in the adult it is predominantly on isoform 2. Belongs to the tenascin family.