title: Cross-linking and stereospecific structure of collagen in mineralized and nonmineralized skeletal tissues.
abstract: Molecular distributions of the intermolecular cross-links in fetal bovine bone type I collagen fibrils were quantitatively determined and compared with those of periodontal ligament. Results indicated that Hyl and Lys residues in the COOH-terminal nonhelical peptide portions (residues 16C) of both alpha 1 chains were quantitatively converted to aldehydes. These in turn stoichiometrically formed cross-links with residues Hyl-87 on both alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains of neighboring molecules. The ratio of cross-linked alpha 1 to alpha 2 chains was 3.5 to 1 indicating a stereospecific packing of collagen molecules in the fibrils similar manner to periodontal ligament collagen. It was found that there were few aldehyde derived cross-links in the NH2-terminal nonhelical portions of the bone type I collagen. The relative paucity of the cross-links in NH2-terminal region of bone collagens may favor mineralization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27514-7455.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otsubo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teraoka
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mechanic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000196:embryology; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D003094:Collagen