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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/col11a1/

COL11A1 gene

collagen type XI alpha 1 chain

Normal Function

The COL11A1 gene provides instructions for making a component of type XI collagen called the pro-alpha1(XI) chain. Collagens are molecules that provide structure and strength to the connective tissues that support the body's muscles, joints, organs, and skin. Type XI collagen is normally found in cartilage, a tough but flexible tissue that makes up much of the skeleton during early development. Most cartilage is later converted to bone, except for the cartilage that continues to cover and protect the ends of bones and is present in the nose and external ears. Type XI collagen is also part of the inner ear; the vitreous, which is the clear gel that fills the eyeball; and the nucleus pulposus, which is the center portion of the discs between the bones of the spine (vertebrae).

Collagens begin as rope-like procollagen molecules that are each made up of three chains. The pro-alpha1(XI) chain combines with two other collagen chains, pro-alpha2(XI) and pro-alpha1(II), to form a triple-stranded procollagen molecule. Then the ropelike procollagen is processed by enzymes to create mature collagen. Mature collagen molecules arrange themselves into long, thin fibrils that form stable interactions (cross-links) with one another in the spaces between cells (the extracellular matrix). The cross-links result in the formation of very strong type XI collagen fibers.

Type XI collagen also helps maintain the spacing and width (diameter) of another type of collagen molecule, type II collagen. Type II collagen is an important component of the vitreous and cartilage. The arrangement and size of type II collagen fibrils is essential for the normal structure of these tissues.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Fibrochondrogenesis

At least seven mutations in the COL11A1 gene have been identified in people with fibrochondrogenesis type 1, a disorder of bone growth characterized by severe skeletal abnormalities, hearing loss, and vision loss. Infants with fibrochondrogenesis type 1 have a very narrow chest that prevents the lungs from developing normally. Most children with this condition are stillborn or die shortly after birth from respiratory failure, although some have lived into childhood.

Some cases of fibrochondrogenesis type 1 result from a combination of COL11A1 gene mutations. Specifically, one copy of the gene has a mutation that prevents the production of any functional pro-alpha1(XI) chain, and the other copy has a mutation that results in an abnormal version of the pro-alpha1(XI) chain. When the abnormal chain is incorporated into collagen molecules, it creates defective type XI collagen. The abnormal collagen weakens connective tissues, impairing the formation of bones throughout the skeleton and causing changes in the eye and inner ear that lead to vision and hearing problems.

In at least two reported cases, fibrochondrogenesis type 1 has been caused by combinations of COL11A1 gene mutations that completely eliminate the production of the pro-alpha1(XI) chain. Researchers speculate that a loss of this chain changes the structure of type XI collagen molecules and disrupts its ability to form cross-links. However, the effects of these mutations are still under study.

More About This Health Condition

Stickler syndrome

Mutations in the COL11A1 gene account for 10 to 20 percent of all cases of Stickler syndrome. When Stickler syndrome results from COL11A1 gene mutations, it is classified as type II. Signs and symptoms of this condition include a distinctive facial appearance, eye abnormalities, hearing loss, and joint problems. These signs and symptoms tend to be less severe than those of fibrochondrogenesis (described above). However, they vary widely among affected individuals.

More than two dozen COL11A1 gene mutations have been found in people with Stickler syndrome. Some of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) or delete a small number of amino acids from the pro-alpha1(XI) chain. Other mutations cause segments of DNA to be skipped when the protein is made, resulting in an abnormally short pro-alpha1(XI) chain. All of these changes impair the production or assembly of type XI collagen molecules. Defective collagen disrupts the normal development of connective tissues in many different parts of the body, which leads to the varied signs and symptoms of Stickler syndrome.

Mutations in the COL11A1 gene can also cause Marshall syndrome, a condition that is very similar to Stickler syndrome. Some researchers have classified Marshall syndrome as a variant of Stickler syndrome, while others consider it to be a separate disorder. Most of the mutations associated with Marshall syndrome cause a segment of DNA in the COL11A1 gene to be skipped when the protein is made, resulting in an abnormally short pro-alpha1(XI) chain. This shortened protein impairs the formation of mature type XI collagen, which leads to the abnormal development of connective tissues and the signs and symptoms of Marshall syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Carpal tunnel syndrome

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Carpal tunnel syndrome

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Intervertebral disc disease

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Intervertebral disc disease

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Osteoarthritis

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Osteoarthritis

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Other disorders

Several variations in the COL11A1 gene may increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, a common disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, which causes pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. The genetic changes associated with osteoarthritis are differences in single amino acids in the pro-alpha1(XI) chain of type XI collagen. Studies suggest that the altered pro-alpha1(XI) chain may weaken collagen fibers, which could contribute to the erosion of joint cartilage. Variations in the COL11A1 gene are among many genetic and environmental factors that likely influence this complex disease.

Other Names for This Gene

  • COBA1_HUMAN
  • COLL6
  • collagen type XI alpha 1
  • collagen XI, alpha-1 polypeptide
  • collagen, type XI, alpha 1
  • STL2

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

  • Akawi NA, Al-Gazali L, Ali BR. Clinical and molecular analysis of UAE fibrochondrogenesis patients expands the phenotype and reveals two COL11A1 homozygous null mutations. Clin Genet. 2012 Aug;82(2):147-56. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2011.01734.x. Epub 2011 Jul 18. Citation on PubMed
  • Akawi NA, Ali BR, Al-Gazali L. A response to Dr. Alzahrani's letter to the editor regarding the mechanism underlying fibrochondrogenesis. Gene. 2013 Oct 10;528(2):367-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.07.038. Epub 2013 Jul 29. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
  • Alzahrani F, Alshammari MJ, Alkuraya FS. Molecular pathogenesis of fibrochondrogenesis: is it really simple COL11A1 deficiency? Gene. 2012 Dec 15;511(2):480-1. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.09.069. Epub 2012 Sep 28. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
  • Annunen S, Korkko J, Czarny M, Warman ML, Brunner HG, Kaariainen H, Mulliken JB, Tranebjaerg L, Brooks DG, Cox GF, Cruysberg JR, Curtis MA, Davenport SL, Friedrich CA, Kaitila I, Krawczynski MR, Latos-Bielenska A, Mukai S, Olsen BR, Shinno N, Somer M, Vikkula M, Zlotogora J, Prockop DJ, Ala-Kokko L. Splicing mutations of 54-bp exons in the COL11A1 gene cause Marshall syndrome, but other mutations cause overlapping Marshall/Stickler phenotypes. Am J Hum Genet. 1999 Oct;65(4):974-83. doi: 10.1086/302585. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Majava M, Hoornaert KP, Bartholdi D, Bouma MC, Bouman K, Carrera M, Devriendt K, Hurst J, Kitsos G, Niedrist D, Petersen MB, Shears D, Stolte-Dijkstra I, Van Hagen JM, Ala-Kokko L, Mannikko M, Mortier GR. A report on 10 new patients with heterozygous mutations in the COL11A1 gene and a review of genotype-phenotype correlations in type XI collagenopathies. Am J Med Genet A. 2007 Feb 1;143A(3):258-64. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.31586. Citation on PubMed
  • Rodriguez-Fontenla C, Calaza M, Evangelou E, Valdes AM, Arden N, Blanco FJ, Carr A, Chapman K, Deloukas P, Doherty M, Esko T, Garces Aleta CM, Gomez-Reino Carnota JJ, Helgadottir H, Hofman A, Jonsdottir I, Kerkhof HJ, Kloppenburg M, McCaskie A, Ntzani EE, Ollier WE, Oreiro N, Panoutsopoulou K, Ralston SH, Ramos YF, Riancho JA, Rivadeneira F, Slagboom PE, Styrkarsdottir U, Thorsteinsdottir U, Thorleifsson G, Tsezou A, Uitterlinden AG, Wallis GA, Wilkinson JM, Zhai G, Zhu Y; arcOGEN Consortium; Felson DT, Ioannidis JP, Loughlin J, Metspalu A, Meulenbelt I, Stefansson K, van Meurs JB, Zeggini E, Spector TD, Gonzalez A. Assessment of osteoarthritis candidate genes in a meta-analysis of nine genome-wide association studies. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2014 Apr;66(4):940-9. doi: 10.1002/art.38300. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Tompson SW, Bacino CA, Safina NP, Bober MB, Proud VK, Funari T, Wangler MF, Nevarez L, Ala-Kokko L, Wilcox WR, Eyre DR, Krakow D, Cohn DH. Fibrochondrogenesis results from mutations in the COL11A1 type XI collagen gene. Am J Hum Genet. 2010 Nov 12;87(5):708-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2010.10.009. Epub 2010 Oct 28. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

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