Collagen

Grp 2 Sec. A2
Collagen

 is the major component of most connective tisssue

 The most abundant of the fibrous proteins that constitute
more than 25% of the protein mass of the human body
 Can be found in mucous membrane, nerves, blood
vessels and organs
Functions

 It adds STRENGTH to the structure

 It SUPPORTS most tissues
 It adds certain amount of ELASTICITY
Types of collagen
 The major ones are:
 Type I collagen – The Chief component of tendous,
ligaments and bones
 Type II collagen – Represent more than 50% of the protein
in Cartilage, It also used to build the notochord of vertebrate
embryos
 Type III collagen – Strengthens the walls of hollw structure
like arteries, the intestines and uterus
 Type IV collagen – Forms the basal lamina of epithelia,
[The basal lamina is often called the basement membrane,
but is not related to lipid bilayer membrane] A meshwork of
Type IV collagen provides the filter for the blood capillaries
and the glomeruli of the kidneys
 The other 15 tyoes are probably equally important but they are
much less abundant
Structure

 All collagens types have a triple helical

structures
 Tropocollagen – the basic unit of the
collagen fiber
 Each polypeptide chains have a sequence of
Gly- X – Y
Collagen synthesis

 Collagen is initially synthesized as a larger

precursor polypeptide, procollagen.
Numerous prolyl and lysyl residues of
procollagen are hydroxylated by prolyl
hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase, enzymes
that require Vitamin C
Wound healing
 I. Inflammatory Phase
– A) Immediate to 2-5 daysB) Hemostasis
– Vasoconstriction
– Platelet aggregation
– Thromboplastin makes clot
– C) Inflammation
– Vasodilation
– Phagocytosis
 II. Proliferative Phase
– A) 2 days to 3 weeksB) Granulation
– Fibroblasts lay bed of collagen
– Fills defect and produces new capillaries
– C) Contraction
– Wound edges pull together to reduce defect
– D) Epithelialization
– Crosses moist surface
– Cell travel about 3 cm from point of origin in all directions
 III. Remodeling Phase
– A) 3 weeks to 2 yearsB) New collagen forms which increases tensile strength to wounds
– C) Scar tissue is only 80 percent as strong as original tissue
Effect of Aging

 Part of the toughness of collagen is due to

the cross – linking of tropocollagen
molecules to one another via reaction
involving lysine side – chains
 This process continues through life and the
accumulating cross – links make the collagen
steadily less elastic and more brittle
Disease and Genetic disorders
 A. Genetic Disorders
– 1. Menkes' syndrome- characterized by kinky hair and growth
retardation.
– 2. Ehlers-Danlos syndromes- are a group of disorders which
share common features including easy bruising, joint hypermobility
(loose joints), skin that stretches easily (skin hyperelasticity or
laxity), and weakness of tissues
– 3. Alport syndrome- a genetically heterogeneous disease and is
caused by defects in one of several subunits of type IV collagen.
– 4. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB)- is a group of inherited bullous
disorders characterized by blister formation in response to
mechanical trauma.
– 5. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)- is a genetic disorder of bone
fragility caused by mutations in the genes that codify for type I
procollagen