Extracellular Matrix Flashcards
What does ECM consist of?
Both fibrillar and non-fibrillar components - proteins and carbohydrates filling spaces between cells
What are the key functions of ECM?
- Provides physical support
- Determines the mechanical and physicochemical properties of the tissue
- Influences the growth, adhesion and differentiation status of cells
Which tissue is composed of ECM+component cells?
Connective tissue
Which collagens are components of connective tissue?
Types I, II, III (fibrillar)
Type IV (basement membrane)
Which glycoproteins are components of connective tissue?
Fibronectin
Fibrinogen
Laminins (basement membrane)
Which proteoglycans are components of connective tissue?
Aggrecan
Versican
Decorin
Perlecan (basement membrane)
What are the properties of connective tissue in the form of tendon and skin?
Tough but flexible
What are the properties of connective tissue in the form of bone?
Hard and dense
What are the properties of connective tissue in the form of cartilage?
Resilient and shock-absorbing
How do different types of connective tissue have different properties?
Different types and arrangements of oxygen
List the genetic disorders affecting ECM proteins
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)
Marfan’s syndrome
Alport’s syndrome
Epidermolysis bulllosa
Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD)
What is a genetic disorder affecting ECM catabolism?
Hurler’s syndrome
Which ECM component is affected in OI?
Type I collagen
Which ECM component is affected in Marfan’s syndrome?
Fibrillin-1
Which ECM component is affected in Alport’s syndrome?
Type IV collagen (α5 chain)
Which ECM component is affected in Epidermolysis bullosa?
Laminin 5 (in all 3 chains)
Which ECM component is affected in CMD?
Laminin 2 (α2 chain)
Which genetic disorder disrupts the function of L-α-iduronidase?
Hurler’s syndrome
Identify the fibrotic disorders due to excessive ECM deposition?
Liver fibrosis - cirrhosis
Kidney fibrosis - diabetic nephropathy
Lung fibrosis - idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
What causes osteoarthritis?
excessive loss of ECM
What is a disorder caused by excessive loss of ECM
osteoarthritis
Which group of proteins are most abundant in mammals?
Collagens - 25% of total protein mass
How are collagen fibrils aligned in skin?
successive layers nearly at right angles to each other
How many collagen types are there in humans?
28 types
How many genes code for different types of collagens?
42 genes
How many α chains are in a collagen?
3 α chains forming a triple helix
What’s the composition of Type I collagen?
Type I
What’s the composition of Type II collagen?
Type II
What’s the composition of Type III collagen?
Type III
What is the amino acid pattern of an α chain?
x-y-glycine
(usually x=proline and y=hydroxyproline)
How long is each α chain in fibrillar collagens?
Approx 1000 amino acids
What are added to the newly synthesised collagen chains?
non-collagenous domains at N- and C-termini
When are the propeptides on N and C termini removed from the collagen?
after secretion in the case of fibrillar collagens (they remain part of the collagen in most other types)
What are some post-translational modifications of α helices?
- Hydroxylation of prolines and lysines
- Glycosylation of hydroxylysines
What happens to the α helices after modifications?
Self-assembly of three α chains
Which organelles carry out the synthesis, modification and secretion of α helices?
ER and Golgi
What type of links are made between collagens and inside collagen?
inter- and intra-molecular covalent cross-links
Which amino acids are involved in crosslinks (collagen)?
Lysine and hydroxylysine
Which molecules (cofactors) are required for hydroxylation of proline and lysine?
Iron (II) - Fe2+
Vitamin C
What type of bonding does hydroxylation aid?
(Interchain) H bonding
What is the result of Vitamin C deficiency (biochemical and tissue stability-wise)?
Under-hydroxylation of collagens
Dramatically reduced tissue stability
Scurvy - swollen bleeding gums and reopened wounds
Name the syndrome that is a spectrum of inherited connective tissue disorders
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
What are the common symptoms of EDS?
Stretchy skin and loose joints