Full name: collagen type VI alpha 1 chain

Gene type: protein coding

RefSeq status: REVIEWED

Also known as: BTHLM1; OPLL; UCHMD1

Summary: The collagens are a superfamily of proteins that play a role in maintaining the integrity of various tissues. Collagens are extracellular matrix proteins and have a triple-helical domain as their common structural element. Collagen VI is a major structural component of microfibrils. The basic structural unit of collagen VI is a heterotrimer of the alpha1(VI), alpha2(VI), and alpha3(VI) chains. The alpha2(VI) and alpha3(VI) chains are encoded by the COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes, respectively. The protein encoded by this gene is the alpha 1 subunit of type VI collagen (alpha1(VI) chain). Mutations in the genes that code for the collagen VI subunits result in the autosomal dominant disorder, Bethlem myopathy. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Expression: Broad expression in placenta (RPKM 211.0), endometrium (RPKM 191.1) and 23 other tissues

Gene size: 23279bp

Exon count: 35