Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is a glycoprotein that was first discovered in 1994. This protein was initially designated 'p85' based on its size, but was also named ECM1 because of its association with various other connective tissue proteins including type 1 collagen, osteonectin, cathepsin and sialo bone protein. It has been shown to have several important biological functions. It is plausible that the protein may help in maintaining dermal homeostasis, regulating basement membrane and collagen micro-fibril assembly, and binding of growth factor.