COMP
COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, also known as thrombospondin-5, TSP5 or THBS5) is a secreted, noncollagenous extracellular matrix glycoprotein of the thrombospondin family. It contributes to the structural integrity of cartilage and is linked to skeletal dysplasias such as pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. Browse Assay Genie's current range of COMP research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
COMP plays a role in the structural integrity of cartilage through its interactions with other extracellular matrix proteins, including the collagens and fibronectin. It can also mediate the interaction of chondrocytes with the cartilage matrix by engaging cell surface integrin receptors. Beyond its structural role, COMP is a potent suppressor of apoptosis in primary chondrocytes and transformed cells. It does so by blocking activation of caspase-3 and by inducing members of the IAP family of survival proteins, namely BIRC3, BIRC2, BIRC5 and XIAP.
The protein is also described as essential for maintaining the contractile, differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells under physiological and pathological stimuli, an effect that depends on its interaction with ITGA7. UniProt notes that COMP could play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
The COMP gene encodes a protein assembled from five identical glycoprotein subunits, each carrying EGF-like and calcium-binding (thrombospondin-like) domains. Oligomerisation results from the formation of a five-stranded coiled coil together with disulfide bonds. Binding to other matrix proteins such as collagen appears to depend on divalent cations. The protein was originally named for its abundance in cartilage and has the historical designation pseudoachondroplasia, epiphyseal dysplasia 1, multiple. Contraction or expansion of a five-residue aspartate repeat, along with other mutations, can cause pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), which explains the aliases PSACH, MED, EDM1 and EPD1. Mouse and rat orthologs are both designated Comp.
COMP contributes to cartilage structural integrity by interacting with collagens and fibronectin, making it a key protein for studying extracellular matrix organisation.
Mutations in the COMP gene, including changes to its aspartate repeat, can cause pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia.
UniProt reports that COMP could play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, linking it to joint degeneration research.
COMP suppresses chondrocyte apoptosis via caspase-3 inhibition and IAP induction, and helps maintain the vascular smooth muscle cell contractile phenotype through ITGA7.
COMP supports the structural integrity of cartilage by interacting with collagens and fibronectin, and can link chondrocytes to the matrix through integrins. It also suppresses apoptosis by blocking caspase-3 activation and inducing IAP proteins, and helps maintain the differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells.
COMP is also called thrombospondin-5, with the aliases THBS5, TSP5 and TSP-5. Symbols such as PSACH, MED, EDM1 and EPD1 reflect its association with pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. Its earlier HGNC name referred to pseudoachondroplasia, epiphyseal dysplasia 1, multiple.
Yes. Contraction or expansion of a five-residue aspartate repeat, and other mutations, can cause pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, and COMP may contribute to osteoarthritis. Orthologs exist in mouse and rat, both named Comp; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Integrins, IAP survival proteins, caspases and matrix proteins connected to COMP function in cartilage and vascular biology.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P49747; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.