Abstract: This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule encoding F-spondin. This invention also provides a probe comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a F-spondin. This invention provides a host vector system for the production of a F-spondin. This invention provides purified F-spondin and the uses of compositions containing purified F-spondin. This invention further provides a method of attaching nerve cells to a matrix using purified F-spondin. This invention also provides a method of stimulating nerve cell growth using purified F-spondin. This invention further provides a method of regenerating nerve call using purified F-spondin. Finally, this invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for stimulating nerve cell growth comprising an effective amount of purified F-spondin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.