title: Assays of type I procollagen domains and collagen fragments: problems to be solved and future trends.
abstract: The biochemical possibilities for developing specific assays for type I collagen metabolism are described. Type I collagen synthesis can be assessed either by the analysis of the carboxyterminal or aminoterminal propeptides, which are in principle produced in a molar ratio of 1:1. However, in clinical situations altered behaviour can be found, the reasons for which may be altered clearance or even the existence of variant forms of type I collagen. Type I collagen degradation can be specifically detected by analysis of either cross-linked carboxy- or aminoterminal telopeptides or by the cross-links themselves liberated during the degradation processes. The heterogeneity of the cross-links and the constituent chains of the cross-linked peptides in different tissues and possibly in different clinical situations introduce problems, which should be studied and resolved in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Risteli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Risteli
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen