COLLAGENS AS ORGANIZERS OF EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX DURING MORPHOGENESIS

The composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) varies depending on tissue location and developmental stage. Collagens as the main constit uents determine its structure and play a major role in determining its function. Polymers of fibrillar collagens (I,II) form the backbone of many ECMs, whereas many minor collagens regulate or stabilize their s tructural properties. Changes in the minor collagens introduce subtle modifications in intermolecular interactions, which can modulate the m orphology of the ECM and responses of the underlying or embedded cells . The functions of these modulating collagens is now being investigate d by a number of biochemical, genetic and molecular approaches. (C) 19 96 Academic Press Ltd