Single-chain type IV collagen (SCCOL-IV) (SCCOL-IV)

Single-chain type IV collagen (SCCOL-IV), also known as the non-triple helical form of the type IV collagen alpha 1 chain (NTH α1(IV)), is an alternative gene product of the COL4A1 gene. Unlike the standard type IV collagen that forms a triple-helical meshwork in basement membranes, SCCOL-IV is secreted as a single-chain polypeptide and undergoes distinct post-translational modifications, such as lower levels of prolyl- and lysyl-hydroxylation and specific O-glycosylation (Tokunaka et al., 2011; Morita et al., 2016). It is predominantly expressed in the interstitium and vessel lumens of various tumors, including lung, liver, renal, and pancreatic cancers, where it plays a critical role in vasculogenesis and tumor tissue expansion (Hayashi et al., 1999; Tokunaka et al., 2011). SCCOL-IV is considered a promising therapeutic target and diagnostic marker because its expression is highly specific to tumor tissues compared to normal basement membranes (Nippon Kayaku, US9163080B2). Monoclonal antibodies like NK46141 have been developed to selectively bind SCCOL-IV without cross-reacting with triple-helical collagen IV, demonstrating the ability to suppress tumor growth and inhibit vasculogenesis in preclinical models (Tokunaka et al., 2011; Morita et al., 2016).

Other names

Single-chain type IV collagen, α1-based recombinant constructNon-triple helical type IV collagen alpha 1 chainNTH α1(IV)Single-chain COL4A1Nascent non-triple helical form of the type IV collagen alpha 1 chain

Inhibition of vasculogenesis and tumor growth by selectively blocking the function of the single-chain form of type IV collagen in the tumor interstitium.