Serum-induced collagen gel contraction.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the molecular events underlying disease-related vitreous gel contraction, the effect of serum components on collagen was investigated.


METHODS
Bovine vitreous or dermal collagen was incubated with a mixture of transglutaminase (TG; factor XIIIa) and fibronectin (FN), and the biochemical changes of collagen were monitored by gel electrophoresis. In addition, serum-induced changes in the volume of the collagen gel were monitored.


RESULTS
Gel electrophoresis revealed a new high-molecular-weight band (M(r) 240,000) presumably due to intermolecular cross-links of collagen peptides and FN. The serum components also were shown to cause a significant decrease in the volume of the collagen gel. CONCLUSION. Collagen gel contraction could be attributed to the collagen-FN-collagen cross-links catalyzed by TG.
Akiba
J
J
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Kakehashi
A
A
Ueno
N
N
Tano
Y
Y
Chakrabarti
B
B
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry
D005353:Fibronectins; D003094:Collagen; D011503:Transglutaminases