The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the thrombospondin protein family. Thrombospondin family members are adhesive glycoproteins that mediate cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions. This protein forms a pentamer and can bind to heparin and calcium. Studies of the rat counterpart suggest that this protein may be involved in local signaling in the developing and adult nervous system. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Wang, Fu, Xie, Wang, Chu, Wang, Shen, Wang, Wang, Sun, Lei, Yang, Wu, Foo, Liu, Jin, Huang: "Common polymorphisms in ITGA2, PON1 and THBS2 are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in a candidate gene association study of the Chinese Han population." in: Journal of human genetics, Vol. 55, Issue 8, pp. 490-4, (2010) (PubMed).