Figure 5

Schematic picture of interactions of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) with collagen II and collagen IX. In cartilage, collagen II is the main collagen and makes up a fiber network that provides a cohesive framework. COMP binds via each C-terminal globule to triple-helical collagen II with high affinity. The binding between COMP and triple-helical collagen domains influences collagen fibril assembly. In addition, interactions between COMP and collagen IX provide the potential for crossbridging collagen fibrils to form a cartilage collagen network. Figure is modified from Heinegård and colleagues [35].