title: The collagen superfamily.
abstract: The collagens represent a large family of molecular proteins which are located in the extracellular matrix. They all share a triple-helical segment of variable length (100-450 nm) but differ considerably in the size and nature of their globular domains. The various collagen types I-XIX known so far in vertebrates are adjusted to different functions including the formation of fibrils, microfibrils and networks. Their biological role is now increasingly studied by genetic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Martinsried, Germany.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Timpl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen