May play a role during the calcification of cartilage and the transition of cartilage to bone (By similarity). Together with col27a1a, plays a role in development of the notochord and axial skeleton. Weakly expressed in the notochord from the 6 somite stage. Expressed throughout the notochord at 13 somites, then becomes restricted to the distal tip of the notochord by 24 hpf. Also expressed in head cartilages by 48 hpf. 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.