Keratocan (KTN) also known as keratan sulfate proteoglycan keratocan, is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''KERA''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
s (KSPGs) are members of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family. KSPGs, particularly keratocan,
lumican
Lumican, also known as LUM, is an extracellular matrix protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''LUM'' gene on chromosome 12.
Structure
Lumican is a proteoglycan Class II member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family that inc ...
and
mimecan
Osteoglycin (also called mimecan), encoded by the OGN gene, is a human protein.
This gene encodes a protein which induces ectopic bone formation in conjunction with transforming growth factor TGF-beta, beta. This protein is a small keratan sulfate ...
, are important to the transparency of the
cornea
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Along with the anterior chamber and lens, the cornea refracts light, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical ...
.
Mutations of the gene cause
cornea plana 2.
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
{{gene-12-stub