May play a role during the calcification of cartilage and the transition of cartilage to bone (By similarity). Together with col27a1b, plays a role in development of the notochord and axial skeleton. Expressed dynamically in the notochord from late epiboly, spreading to the anterior notochord by 24 hpf, and then throughout the notochord by 30 hpf. Subsequently, notochordal expression becomes restricted to the distal tip of the tail by 48 hpf and is no longer detectable by 72 hpf. Also expressed throughout the floor plate and hypochord at 24 hpf, and in forming head cartilages and the first forming tooth. 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). Belongs to the fibrillar collagen family.