Human Collagen Type I

General description

COL1A1 is the gene responsible for the production of the alpha1(I) chain of type I collagen. Collagen, which adds structure and strength to connective tissues, is found throughout the body for example, in skin, tendon, cartilage, ligaments, bone, the part of the eyeball that is white (sclera), and the spaces between cells and tissues called the extracellular matrix.

Type I collagen is initially produced as procollagen in cells. This protein consists of two pro-alpha1(I) protein strands combined with a pro-alpha2(I) procollagen strand that form a triple-stranded rope-like structure. While in the cell, enzymes modify certain amino acids in the protein (lysine and proline) by adding chemical groups that are necessary for the three strands to form stable molecules and make connections (cross-links) between chains. Other enzymes add sugars to the protein. Now complete, the triple-stranded type I procollagen molecule leaves the cell and is processed by enzymes that clip small segments off both ends. The procollagen molecules arrange themselves into long, thin fibrils outside of the cell. The fibrils come together in side-by-side groups to form collagen fibers. Cross-linking between molecules in fibrils produces a very stable protein structure, which contributes to collagen′s tissue strengthening function. {http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov}

Human type I collagen purified by serial salt precipitations, alcohol precipitation and DEAE chromatography of a pepsin extraction of human placenta. Composition: [α1(I)]₂, <α2(I), native triple helix.

Physical form

Purified protein. Liquid containing 0.5 M Acetic acid, pH 2.5. Can be diluted in PBS for applications.

Analysis Note

Purity was controlled by SDS-PAGE and reaction with anti-collagen type-specific antibodies

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