Extracellular Matrix Protein 2 (ECM2)

ECM2 encodes extracellular matrix protein 2, so named because it shares extensive similarity with known extracelluar matrix proteins. a novel gene abundantly expressed in adipose tissue and mammary gland.

Northern blot analysis of human tissues detected an approximately 3.3-kb ECM2 transcript that was also highly expressed in uterus and ovary. The authors isolated a full-length human mammary gland ECM2 cDNA encoding a deduced 699-amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 79.8 kD. The ECM2 protein contains an RGD sequence, a von Willebrand factor C (VWFC) domain, and a leucine-rich repeat. ECM2 has 33.7% amino acid identity with murine bone proteoglycan II precursor, 33.2% identity with bovine keratocan, and 33% identity with rat decorin.