title: Vitreous contains a cartilage-related protein.
abstract: The vitreous is a clear, gel-like mass in the posterior cavity of the eye. Its major components are type II collagen, hyaluronic acid, and water. A small amount of proteoglycan is also present. All of these molecules are found in cartilage as well. We have now identified a non-collagenous protein in bovine and human vitreous samples which has hitherto been found only in hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage. This protein has a molecular weight of 550,000 and subunits of 130,000 MW and appears to be a shared cartilage and eye antigen. Its role, if any, in ocular disease associated with rheumatic disorders remains to be determined.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002417:Cattle; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C050677:cartilage-related protein (vitreous body)