Matrilin 3 (MATN3)

Matrilin-3 is a member of von Willebrand factor A domain containing protein family. The matrilins represent a subfamily of extracellular matrix proteins containing the von Willebrand factor type A (vWFA)-like domain. (The vWFA-like domain was first described in von Willebrand factor, where it plays a key role in promoting platelet adhesion to the subendothelium. The MATN3 cDNA encodes a predicted 486-amino acid protein that shares 83% identity with the mouse protein. By Northern blot analysis, MATN3 was detected as a 2.8-kb mRNA in all cartilaginous tissues tested, but was not detected in any noncartilaginous tissues. It was also produced in vitro by primary chondrocytes isolated from articular cartilage; however, dedifferentiated chondrocytes of the third passage did not express any MATN3.