URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/col4a5/

COL4A5 gene

collagen type IV alpha 5 chain

Normal Function

The COL4A5 gene provides instructions for making one component of type IV collagen, which is a flexible protein. Specifically, this gene makes the alpha5(IV) chain of type IV collagen. This chain combines with two other types of alpha (IV) chains (the alpha3 and alpha4 chains) to make a complete type IV collagen molecule. Type IV collagen molecules attach to each other to form complex protein networks. These networks make up a large portion of basement membranes, which are thin sheet-like structures that separate and support cells in many tissues. Type IV collagen alpha3-4-5 networks play an especially important role in the basement membranes of the kidney, inner ear, and eye.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Alport syndrome

More than 400 mutations in the COL4A5 gene have been found to cause Alport syndrome. Most of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in a region where the alpha5(IV) collagen chain combines with other type IV collagen chains. Other mutations in the COL4A5 gene severely decrease or prevent the production of alpha5(IV) chains. As a result, there is a serious deficiency of the type IV collagen alpha3-4-5 network in the basement membranes of the kidney, inner ear, and eye. In the kidney, other types of collagen accumulate in the basement membranes, eventually leading to scarring of the kidneys and kidney failure. Mutations in this gene can also lead to abnormal function in the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • ASLN
  • ATS
  • CA54
  • CO4A5_HUMAN
  • collagen IV, alpha-5 polypeptide
  • collagen of basement membrane, alpha-5 chain
  • collagen type IV alpha 5
  • collagen, type IV, alpha 5
  • collagen, type IV, alpha 5 (Alport syndrome)

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Gross O, Netzer KO, Lambrecht R, Seibold S, Weber M. Meta-analysis of genotype-phenotype correlation in X-linked Alport syndrome: impact on clinical counselling. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2002 Jul;17(7):1218-27. doi: 10.1093/ndt/17.7.1218. Citation on PubMed
  • Jais JP, Knebelmann B, Giatras I, De Marchi M, Rizzoni G, Renieri A, Weber M, Gross O, Netzer KO, Flinter F, Pirson Y, Dahan K, Wieslander J, Persson U, Tryggvason K, Martin P, Hertz JM, Schroder C, Sanak M, Carvalho MF, Saus J, Antignac C, Smeets H, Gubler MC. X-linked Alport syndrome: natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations in girls and women belonging to 195 families: a "European Community Alport Syndrome Concerted Action" study. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2003 Oct;14(10):2603-10. doi: 10.1097/01.asn.0000090034.71205.74. Citation on PubMed
  • Jais JP, Knebelmann B, Giatras I, Marchi M, Rizzoni G, Renieri A, Weber M, Gross O, Netzer KO, Flinter F, Pirson Y, Verellen C, Wieslander J, Persson U, Tryggvason K, Martin P, Hertz JM, Schroder C, Sanak M, Krejcova S, Carvalho MF, Saus J, Antignac C, Smeets H, Gubler MC. X-linked Alport syndrome: natural history in 195 families and genotype- phenotype correlations in males. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2000 Apr;11(4):649-657. doi: 10.1681/ASN.V114649. Citation on PubMed
  • Kashtan CE. Alport Syndrome. 2001 Aug 28 [updated 2019 Feb 21]. In: Adam MP, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Gripp KW, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2023. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1207/ Citation on PubMed
  • Kashtan CE. Alport syndrome. An inherited disorder of renal, ocular, and cochlear basement membranes. Medicine (Baltimore). 1999 Sep;78(5):338-60. doi: 10.1097/00005792-199909000-00005. Citation on PubMed
  • Kashtan CE. Familial hematuria due to type IV collagen mutations: Alport syndrome and thin basement membrane nephropathy. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2004 Apr;16(2):177-81. doi: 10.1097/00008480-200404000-00011. Citation on PubMed
  • Pescucci C, Longo I, Bruttini M, Mari F, Renieri A. Type-IV collagen related diseases. J Nephrol. 2003 Mar-Apr;16(2):314-6. Citation on PubMed
  • Slajpah M, Gorinsek B, Berginc G, Vizjak A, Ferluga D, Hvala A, Meglic A, Jaksa I, Furlan P, Gregoric A, Kaplan-Pavlovcic S, Ravnik-Glavac M, Glavac D. Sixteen novel mutations identified in COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 genes in Slovenian families with Alport syndrome and benign familial hematuria. Kidney Int. 2007 Jun;71(12):1287-95. doi: 10.1038/sj.ki.5002221. Epub 2007 Mar 28. Citation on PubMed

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