Type IV collagen is the major structural component of glomerular basement membranes (GBM), forming a 'chicken-wire' meshwork together with laminins, proteoglycans and entactin/nidogen. Ref.13 Ref.17 Ref.18 Canstatin, a cleavage product corresponding to the collagen alpha 2(IV) NC1 domain, possesses both anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor cell activity. It inhibits proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, and induces apoptosis. Specifically induces Fas-dependent apoptosis and activates procaspase-8 and -9 activity. Ligand for alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 integrins.
[1] "The complete primary structure of the alpha 2 chain of human type IV collagen and comparison with the alpha 1(IV) chain."Hostikka S.L., Tryggvason K.J. Biol. Chem. 263:19488-19493(1988) [2] "The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 13."Du
