Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) of gliomas of different grades and of nonmalignant CNS specimens showed differential expression of COL6A1 in the different tumor grades, with the highest expression levels detected in aggressive grade III and IV glioblastoma, compared with a reduced expression in lower-grade (grade I and II) astrocytoma and normal glia (Fujita et al., 2008). Here, COL6A1 is linked to neoplasm.