Identification and analysis of collagen α1(XXI), a novel member of the FACIT collagen family

The FACIT collagens bind to the surface of collagen fibrils linking them with other matrix molecules. Bioinformatics analysis of cDNA clone DKFZp564B052 showed that it resembled the FACIT collagens and was therefore designated collagen alpha1(XXI). Phylogenetic analyses of the N-terminal NC3 domains of alpha1(XXI) and other FACIT collagens showed that (i) alpha1(XXI) clustered with the FACIT collagens; (ii) collagen alpha1(XXI) arose before the divergence of alpha1(XII), alpha1(XIV) and alpha1(XX); (iii) collagen alpha1(XIV) derived from the C-terminal region of the NC3 domain of a collagen alpha1(XII)-like molecule; and GO collagen alpha1(XX) derived from a collagen alpha1(XIV)-like molecule. This study provides a framework for the evolution of the FACIT collagens which will be of value in linking NC3 domains with their functions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. /International Society of Matrix Biology. All rights reserved.