Description
COMP, also known as Thrombospondin-5, is a member of the thrombospondin(TSP) family. It is an extracellular matrix(ECM) protein primarily present in cartilage and is a secreted glycoprotein that is important for growth plate organization and function. This protein is upregulated in rheumatoid osteoarthritis and arthritis, chronic pancreatitis, hepatocellular carcinomas and pancreatic carcinomas. It is a marker of cartilage turnover. It is present in high quantities in fibrotic scars and systemic sclerosis, and it appears to have a role in vascular wall remodeling. It also plays a role in cell growth and development. Mutations in COMP can cause the osteochondrodysplasias pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), and up-regulated expression of COMP are observed in rheumatoid arthritis and certain carcinomas. Recombinant human COMP, fused to His-tag at C-terminus, was expressed in HEK293 cell and purified by using conventional chromatography techniques