Collagens form a family of proteins which
strengthen & support many tissues in the body such as skin, ligaments,
bones, tendons, muscles and the extracellular matrix between cells &
tissues.
The COL5A1 gene
produces a component of type V collagen — pro-alpha1 (V)
chain. 3 of these chains combine to make a molecule of type V pro-collagen.
Alternatively, 2 of these chains can also combine with 1 pro-alpha2 (V) chain
(produced by the COL5A2 gene) to form type V pro-collagen.
These triple-stranded rope-like pro-collagen
molecules must be processed by enzymes outside the cell. Once these molecules
are processed, they arrange themselves into long, thin fibrils that cross-link
to one another in the spaces around cells. The cross-links result in the
formation of very strong, mature type V collagen fibers.
Type V collagen also plays a role in assembling
other types of collagen into fibrils within many connective tissues and also
essential for the formation of normal type I collagen fibrils.
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