Type I collagen is the most abundant
collagen of the human body. It forms large, eosinophilic fibers known as collagen fibers.
It is present in
scar tissue
Scar tissue may refer to:
Medicine
* Scar, an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after injury
* Granulation tissue, a product of healing in major wounds
Film and television
* ''Scar Tissue'' (1975 film), or ''Wanted: Babysitter'' ...
, the end product when tissue
heals by repair, as well as
tendons,
ligaments
A ligament is the fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones. It is also known as ''articular ligament'', ''articular larua'', ''fibrous ligament'', or ''true ligament''. Other ligaments in the body include the:
* Peritoneal l ...
, the
endomysium of
myofibrils, the organic part of
bone
A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, ...
, the
dermis, the
dentin, and organ capsules.
Formation
The gene produces the
pro-alpha1(I) chain. This chain combines with another pro-alpha1(I) chain and also with a pro-alpha2(I) chain (produced by the gene) to make a molecule of type I pro-collagen. These triple-stranded, rope-like pro-collagen molecules must be processed by enzymes outside the cell. Once these molecules are processed, they arrange themselves into long, thin fibrils that cross-link to one another in the spaces around cells. The cross-links result in the formation of very strong mature type I collagen fiber.
Clinical significance
See
Collagen, type I, alpha 1#Clinical significance
Markers used to measure bone loss are not easily testable. Degradation of type 1 collagen releases metabolites that can be used to monitor resorption.
See also
*
Collagen
*
Type II collagen
Type II collagen is the basis for hyaline cartilage, including the articular cartilages at joint surfaces. It is formed by homotrimers of collagen, type II, alpha 1 chains.
It makes up 50% of all protein in cartilage and 85–90% of collagen of ...
*
Collagen, type I, alpha 1
*
Collagen, type I, alpha 2
*
Collagen, type III, alpha 1
References
Further reading
*
External links
*
Collagens
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