title: Collagen self-assembly in vitro: electron microscopy of initial aggregates formed during the lag phase.
abstract: Initial aggregates formed in collagen self-assembly were visualized by electron microscopy, using formaldehyde to fix the state of aggregation at various points in the turbidimetric lag phase. Measurements of the length distributions of monomers and small oligomers show that the first-formed aggregates are dimeric, with the most prevalent dimer having a maximal (approximately equal to 4D; D = 67 nm) stagger between constituent molecules.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003094:Collagen; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D003094:Collagen