PROTEINS OF THE BASEMENT-MEMBRANE - A REVIEW

Recent advances in the biochemistry of basement membranes are reviewed . Basement membranes are highly specialized structural elements of the extracellular matrix. Structural and functional properties of major b asement membrane proteins (collagen IV, laminin, nidogen, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans) are considered. The main attention is paid to s tructural and biochemical characterization of the renal glomerular bas ement membrane, which is the main component of the kidney filtration b arrier. Possible ways of isolation and characterization of new basemen t membrane proteins are reviewed. Further research should provide a mo re complete picture of the biochemical composition of basement membran es.