collagen type IV alpha 5 chain
Description
The COL4A5 (collagen type IV alpha 5 chain) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome X.
The COL4A5 gene instructs the production of a part of the collagen IV protein, specifically the alpha5(IV) chain. This chain teams up with two other alpha (IV) chains (alpha3 and alpha4) to build alpha345(IV) collagen molecules. These molecules then assemble into complex protein networks, which are crucial components of basement membranes, thin, sheet-like structures that separate and support cells in many tissues. Alpha345(IV) collagen networks are particularly important in the basement membranes of the kidney, inner ear, and eye.
COL4A5 encodes for the alpha-5(IV) chain of collagen IV, a key component of the 'chicken-wire' meshwork that forms glomerular basement membranes (GBMs). This meshwork provides structural support and acts as a barrier, working in concert with other proteins like laminins, proteoglycans, and entactin/nidogen.
COL4A5 is also known as ASLN, ATS, ATS1, CA54.
