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Metabolic pathways and control mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis and turnover of collagen in normal and pathological connective tissues
Author(s) -
Nimni Marcel E.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1973.tb01682.x
Subject(s) - connective tissue , microbiology and biotechnology , biosynthesis , extracellular matrix , function (biology) , metabolism , biochemistry , chemistry , biology , genetics , enzyme
. The biosynthesis of collagen molecules and their subsequent assembly into fibers involves a complex series of post‐ribosomal modifications which occur intracellularly and extracellularly. Some of these subtle alterations lead to the formation of intramolecular and intermolecular cross‐links, whereas others seem to dictate the 3‐dimensional organization of the collagen fibers. For their normal function, tissues require an optimum amount of collagen and proteoglycans. Such a balance coupled with specificity built into collagen seems to assure adequate function. Changes in the rates of synthesis, turnover or transcription of genetic information which affect the type of collagen deposited at a particular site may lead lo a stale of disease. It is hoped that our current understanding of such mechanisms, coupled with our ability to inhibit or accelerate some of these processes, will allow us lo effectively control the metabolism of connective tissues.