title: The carboxylpropeptide of type I procollagen in skin fibrillogenesis.
abstract: Previous studies suggested that the aminopropeptide of type I procollagen may initiate fibril formation. The purpose of this investigation was to study the location of the carboxylpropeptide of type I procollagen during collagen fibrillogenesis. Chick embryonic and posthatching skin specimens were studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy and by immunoblotting with antibodies against the amino and carboxylpropeptide of type I procollagen. The carboxylpropeptide was demonstrated at the surface of collagen fibrils, 20-40 nm in diameter (10-day embryos) and in fibrils, 40-65 nm (21-day embryos). In addition, the carboxylpropeptide was found at the cell surface and free in the ground substance. The aminopropeptide was only seen in fibrils, 20-30 nm in diameter, as previously reported. Ratios of pN-collagen/pC-collagen increased from 16 days embryonic to 3 and 9 days postembryonic skins. This study suggests that both pN-collagen (aminopropeptide plus collagen) and pC-collagen (carboxylpropeptide plus collagen) participate in fibrillogenesis.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fleischmajer
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Perlish
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; C047202:procollagen Type I N-terminal peptide; C042813:procollagen type I carboxy terminal peptide