title: Degradation of bovine corneal collagen by alkali.
abstract: This study was undertaken to demonstrate the effect of alkali on the molecular size of collagen. Type I and V collagen from bovine cornea were incubated with different concentrations of NaOH at room temperature and 37 degrees C for various times. The samples were then neutralized and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Degradation of collagen molecules to a heterogeneous mixture of peptides with molecular weights less than 20,000 daltons occurred at concentrations greater than 0.25N, and the effect of alkali was much faster at 37 degrees C than at room temperature. In contrast, the molecular size of collagen was not affected by similar concentrations of HCl under similar conditions of time and temperature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Haddox
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Pfister
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D003094:Collagen