Microfibrillar Associated Protein 4 (MFAP4)

MFAP4 encodes a protein with similarity to a bovine microfibril-associated protein. The protein has binding specificities for both collagen and carbohydrate. It is thought to be an extracellular matrix protein which is involved in cell adhesion or intercellular interactions. The gene is located within the Smith-Magenis syndrome region. MFAP4 shares a high level of sequence identity with the partial sequence of a bovine 36-kD microfibril-associated glycoprotein identified by Kobayashi et al. (1994) and thought to be a Ca(2+)-dependent adhesive protein associated with elastin (ELN) microfibrils in the extracellular matrix. Northern blot analysis of human tissues revealed wide expression of MFAP4, with highest expression in heart, lung, ovary, and small intestine and lowest expression in peripheral blood leukocytes, liver, thymus, and brain.