title: Collagen type II, alpha 1 protein: a bioactive component of shark cartilage.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that extracts of shark cartilage induce a cytokine response in human leukocytes, but the nature of the bioactive component(s) is unknown. Extracts treated with proteases lost 80% of their cytokine-inducing property, suggesting that the active component(s) was likely a complex protein. The aim of the present study was to determine the nature of the bioactive molecule(s). Solid phase extraction followed by ion exchange chromatography and electrophoretic separation were used to partially purify a bioactive preparation from commercial shark cartilage that has been identified as a small glycoprotein. LC-MS analysis yielded peptides with 100% molecular identity with collagen type II, alpha I protein from the lesser spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula. The implications for the consumption of shark cartilage as a dietary supplement are discussed given the presence of collagen type II, alpha 1 protein in extracts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Merly
authors.forename: Sylvia L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C111481:shark cartilage extract