Description
MATN3 is a 50-60 kDaextracellular matrix protein that belongs to the superfamily of vonWillebrand Factor A containing proteins. It is primarily expressed incartilage and functions as a bridging component between proteins of thecollagenous matrix. The human MATN3 cDNA encodes a 486 amino acid (aa)precursor with a 28 aa signal sequence, an N-terminal VWA domain, four tandemEGF-like repeats, and a C-terminal coiled coil domain. The Matrilins differin the number of VWA domains and EGF-like repeats they contain. Human MATN3 shares82% aa sequence identity with mouse MATN3