The protein encoded by this gene is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan that is closely related in structure to two other small proteoglycans, decorin and fibromodulin. The encoded protein and decorin are thought to be the result of a gene duplication. Decorin contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain, while this protein probably contains two chains. For this reason, this protein is called biglycan. This protein plays a role in assembly of collagen fibrils and muscle regeneration. It interacts with several proteins involved in muscular dystrophy, including alpha-dystroglycan, alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycan and collagen VI, and it is critical for the assembly of the dystrophin-associated protein complex. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2009]
