MATN4 Proteins

Protein Information

Matrilin (MATNs) are a family of non-collagenous extracellular matrix proteins consisting of four known members that have been proposed to play key roles in the formation of both collagen-dependent and collagen-independent filamentous networks. Members of the matrilin family all share a structure made up of von Willebrand factor A domains, epidermal growth factor-like domains and a coiled coil alpha-helical module. MATN1 and MATN3 are expressed mainly in cartilage, while MATN2 and MATN4 occur in a wide variety of extracellular matrices such as embryonic kidney, lung, bone, cartilage and nervous system. The matrilin genes are strictly and differently regulated and their expression may serve as markers for cellular differentiation. MATN4 could serve as an odontoblast differentiation marker, e.g. in odontoblast stem cell research.

Synonyms

HE6WCR54; MAT-4; MATN4; matrilin 4; matrilin-4