Type V collagen is a member of group I collagen (fibrillar forming collagen). It is a minor connective tissue component of nearly ubiquitous distribution. Type V collagen binds to DNA, heparan sulfate, thrombospondin, heparin, and insulin. Type V collagen is a key determinant in the assembly of tissue-specific matrices. Trimers of two alpha 1(V) and one alpha 2(V) chains expressed in most tissues and trimers of one alpha 1(V), one alpha 2(V), and one alpha 3(V) chains with a more limited distribution of expression. Expressed in embryos from 9 days of gestation onward. In 12.5 dpc embryos, low and diffuse level of expression was observed in the peritoneal membranes and intestinal and craniofacial mesenchymes. By 16.5 dpc, expression is higher and exhibits a more restricted accumulation in primary ossified regions, perichondrium, joints, tendon, atrioventricular valve of heart, and in selected portions of the head. The C-terminal propeptide, also known as COLFI domain, have crucial roles in tissue growth and repair by controlling both the intracellular assembly of procollagen molecules and the extracellular assembly of collagen fibrils. It binds a calcium ion which is essential for its function (By similarity). Prolines at the third position of the tripeptide repeating unit (G-X-P) are hydroxylated in some or all of the chains. Probably 3-hydroxylated on prolines by LEPREL1. Hydroxylation on proline residues within the sequence motif, GXPG, is most likely to be 4-hydroxy as this fits the requirement for 4-hydroxylation in vertebrates. Mice homozygous for the targeted deletion of the N-terminal telopeptide segment of the COL5A2 chain show poor survival rates, possibly because of complications from spinal deformities, and exhibit skin and eye abnormalities caused by disorganized type I collagen fibrils. The alpha 1(V)-alpha 1(V)-alpha 2(V) heterotrimer makes a critical contribution to fibrillogenesis, basement membrane organization, and cell viability, and may play a possible role in the development of a functional skin matrix. Belongs to the fibrillar collagen family. Truncated N-terminus.