Neural Adhesion Program
Gene co-expression module in Smooth muscle cells
| Category | Development |
|---|---|
| Genes | 10 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 8 of 10 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
Top hubs STMN2 (neuronal growth-cone tubulin regulator), CHL1 and CNTN4 (L1/contactin family neural adhesion molecules) define a neural adhesion/outgrowth core, combined with matrix/neurite-permissive genes DSEL (dermatan sulfate epimerase), EMID1, MATN2 (matrilin-2, promotes neurite outgrowth and Schwann-cell/nerve ECM), SSC5D, TSPAN15, IGFBP3 and F3. This reads as a neural-crest/peri-neural adhesion-ECM program, likely from enteric nerve-associated cells or a neurally-primed mesenchymal state, rather than classic SMC contractility. It is a direct topological neighbor of M50 (NTN1 axon guidance), reinforcing the shared neuro-developmental guidance axis; low mean expression (3.3% positive) suggests a rare subpopulation or partial ambient neural signal.
Genes
CHL1, CNTN4, DSEL, EMID1, F3, IGFBP3, MATN2, SSC5D, STMN2, TSPAN15
Most correlated modules
- Matrix Crosslinking Activation · correlation 0.86
- FOXF2 Mesenchymal Patterning · correlation 0.84
- Microfibril ECM Assembly · correlation 0.82
- Collagen-Laminin Deposition · correlation 0.78
- Lysosomal Glycoprotein Catabolism · correlation 0.76
- Growth Arrest Stress · correlation 0.74
- Synthetic Matrix Phenotype · correlation 0.73
- Notch-TGFbeta Signaling · correlation 0.71
Module annotations were drafted by a large language model from the module's genes, then reviewed and approved by a domain expert. See sources & licences.