This family consists of several eukaryotic extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) sequences. ECM1 has been shown to regulate endochondral bone formation, stimulate the proliferation of endothelial cells and induce angiogenesis [1,2]. Mutations in the ECM1 gene can cause lipoid proteinosis, a disorder which causes generalised thickening of skin, mucosae and certain viscera. Classical features include beaded eyelid papules and laryngeal infiltration leading to hoarseness [3].

1: Recombinant human extracellular matrix protein 1 inhibits alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization of mouse embryonic metatarsals in vitro. Deckers MM, Smits P, Karperien M, Ni J, Tylzanowski P, Feng P, Parmelee D, Zhang J, Bouffard E, Gentz R, Lowik CW, Merregaert J; Bone 2001;28:14-20. PMID:11165938

2: Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) has angiogenic properties and is expressed by breast tumor cells. Han Z, Ni J, Smits P, Underhill CB, Xie B, Chen Y, Liu N, Tylzanowski P, Parmelee D, Feng P, Ding I, Gao F, Gentz R, Huylebroeck D, Merregaert J, Zhang L; FASEB J 2001;15:988-994. PMID:11292659

3: Lipoid proteinosis maps to 1q21 and is caused by mutations in the extracellular matrix protein 1 gene (ECM1). Hamada T, McLean WH, Ramsay M, Ashton GH, Nanda A, Jenkins T, Edelstein I, South AP, Bleck O, Wessagowit V, Mallipeddi R, Orchard GE, Wan H, Dopping-Hepenstal PJ, Mellerio JE, Whittock NV, Munro CS, van Steensel MA, Steijlen PM, Ni J, Zhang L, Hashimoto T Hum Mol Genet 2002;11:833-840. PMID:11929856