COL15A1 - collagen type XV alpha 1 chain Gene

This gene encodes the alpha chain of type XV Collagen, a member of the FACIT Collagen family (fibril-associated collagens with interrupted helices). Type XV Collagen has a wide tissue distribution but the strongest expression is localized to basement membrane zones so it may function to adhere basement membranes to underlying connective tissue stroma. The proteolytically produced C-terminal fragment of type XV Collagen is restin, a potentially antiangiogenic protein that is closely related to endostatin. Mouse studies have shown that Collagen XV deficiency is associated with muscle and microvessel deterioration. [provided by RefSeq, May 2013]