New functional roles for non-collagenous domains of basement membrane collagens.

ABSTRACT: Collagens IV, XV and XVIII are major components of various basement membranes. In addition to the collagen-specific triple helix, these collagens are characterized by the presence of several non-collagenous domains. It is clear now that these ubiquitous collagen molecules are involved in more subtle and sophisticated functions than just the molecular architecture of basement membranes, particularly in the context of extracellular matrix degradation. Degradation of the basement membrane collagens occurs during numerous physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development or tumorigenesis and generates collagen fragments. These fragments are involved in the regulation of functions differing from those of their original intact molecules. The non-collagenous C-terminal fragme

SUBMITTER: Ortega N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2789001 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature