# CARTILAGE MATRIX PROTEIN INTERACTIONS--CHANGES WITH AGE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 1992 · $161,769

## Abstract

The cartilage matrix protein (CMP) is a major constituent of most
cartilages.  Published studies have provided some information on its
composition, properties and distribution.  Isolation and sequencing of the
gene for CMP from chick and human sources reveals a high degree of
homology, and they both possess extensive sequences which are common to a
collagen-binding region of other proteins.  Work from Heinegdrd's lab and
mine has demonstrated that CMP also binds proteoglycan.  So CMP may perform
an important structural role through interactions with these two major
elements of cartilage extracellular matrix.

In the present proposal, studies are designed to confirm and further
characterize the interactions of CMP in cartilage.  Interactions will be
studied using in vitro binding methods, chemical cross-linking and by
immunohistological observation.  Monoclonal antibodies will, be raised and
characterized to facilitate this work.

It is known that the amount and insolubility of CMP increases dramatically
with age.  An additional goal of the present proposal is to establish the
basis of this insolubility, and to determine whether CMP, like many other
structural molecules of cartilage, becomes increasingly fragmented with
age.

This study is expected to add to our knowledge of the normal structural
organization of cartilage and of major changes which occur with age.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3122043
- **Project number:** 1R01AG010070-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YND4PLMC9AN7
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN R BAKER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $161,769
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1992-05-01 → 1997-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3122043

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3122043, CARTILAGE MATRIX PROTEIN INTERACTIONS--CHANGES WITH AGE (1R01AG010070-01A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3122043. Licensed CC0.

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