COMP : cartilage oligomeric matrix protein

Description

The COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.

The COMP gene provides instructions for making the COMP protein, which is found in the extracellular matrix. This matrix is located around the cells that form ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. The COMP protein is believed to play a role in cell growth, division, self-destruction, and regulation of cell movement and attachment. Research has shown that the COMP protein binds strongly to calcium.

COMP plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of cartilage by interacting with other extracellular matrix proteins like collagens and fibronectin. It facilitates communication between chondrocytes and the cartilage extracellular matrix through interactions with cell surface integrin receptors. Research suggests that COMP could play a part in the development of osteoarthritis. Additionally, COMP acts as a powerful inhibitor of apoptosis in both primary chondrocytes and transformed cells. It achieves this by blocking caspase-3 activation and promoting the expression of IAP family survival proteins (BIRC3, BIRC2, BIRC5, and XIAP). COMP is essential for preserving the contractile and differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under both normal and disease conditions. It accomplishes this by interacting with ITGA7.

COMP is also known as CTS2, EDM1, EPD1, MED, PSACH, THBS5, TSP-5, TSP5.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing

Clinical Exome Sequencing