Molecular Cloning of Chicken Type VI Collagen

Type VI collagen is a dumb-bell-shaped molecule with two large globular domains linked by a short collagenous triple helix. It is composed of three different polypeptide chains that are linked extensively by disulfide bonds. Type VI collagen is synthesized and secreted by most mesenchymal cells. In the extracellular matrix it forms small microfilaments which are often associated with the large banded fibers of interstitial collagens.