Description

ackground:
This gene encodes the alpha-1 chain of type II collagen, a fibrillar collagen found in cartilage and the vitreous humor of the eye. Mutations in this gene are associated with achondrogenesis, chondrodysplasia, early onset familial osteoarthritis, SED congenita, Langer-Saldino achondrogenesis, Kniest dysplasia, Stickler syndrome type I, and spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia Strudwick type. In addition, defects in processing chondrocalcin, a calcium binding protein that is the C-propeptide of this collagen molecule, are also associated with chondrodysplasia. There are two transcripts identified for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Function:
Type II collagen is specific for cartilaginous tissues. It is essential for the normal embryonic development of the skeleton, for linear growth and for the ability of cartilage to resist compressive forces.

Subunit:
Homotrimers of alpha 1(II) chains.

Subcellular Location:
Secreted, extracellular space, extracellular matrix.

Tissue Specificity:
Isoform 2 is highly expressed in juvenile chondrocyte and low in fetal chondrocyte.

Post-translational modifications:
Proline residues at the third position of the tripeptide repeating unit (G-X-Y) are hydroxylated in some or all of the chains. Proline residues at the second position of the tripeptide repeating unit (G-X-Y) are hydroxylated in some of the chains.
The N-telopeptide is covalently linked to the helical COL2 region of alpha 1(IX), alpha 2(IX) and alpha 3(IX) chain. The C-telopeptide is covalently linked to an another site in the helical region of alpha 3(IX) COL2.