DCN : decorin
Description
The DCN (decorin) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
The DCN gene provides instructions for making decorin, a protein essential for the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a network of proteins and molecules found between cells, supporting connective tissues like skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage. Decorin is involved in organizing collagen proteins, crucial for strengthening and supporting these tissues. Collagen also plays a vital role in the cornea, ensuring its transparency by organizing collagen fibrils into uniformly sized and spaced bundles. Decorin's other potential functions include regulating cell growth and division, cell adhesion, apoptosis (cell death), angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), wound healing, bone development, inflammation, and tumor growth suppression. It also controls the activity of growth factors like TGFβ, which are vital for cell growth processes.
DCN is also known as CSCD, DSPG2, PG40, PGII, PGS2, SLRR1B.
