title: The collagen family.
abstract: Collagens are the most abundant proteins in mammals. The collagen family comprises 28 members that contain at least one triple-helical domain. Collagens are deposited in the extracellular matrix where most of them form supramolecular assemblies. Four collagens are type II membrane proteins that also exist in a soluble form released from the cell surface by shedding. Collagens play structural roles and contribute to mechanical properties, organization, and shape of tissues. They interact with cells via several receptor families and regulate their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Some collagens have a restricted tissue distribution and hence specific biological functions.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, 69367, France. s.ricard-blum@ibcp.fr
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricard-Blum
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D038981:Receptors, Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D038981:Receptors, Collagen; D003094:Collagen