The Importance Of Collagen

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Collagen is the predominant protein in animal bodies, constituting approximately 30% of the total protein (Birk & Bruckner, 2005; Unlua et al. 2014). It is an extracellular matrix protein that can either directly or indirectly interact with cells to alter cellular activity. At least 27 different types of collagen have been indentified, correspondingly named types I to XXVII (Birk & Bruckner, 2005).
Structure
Collagen is characterized by the right-handed triple helical rod structure which is formed by three left handed helix polypeptide chain. Although the triple helical structure is the main characteristic of collagen, some globular proteins are indentified as collagen due to the repeating trilets and small triple helical rod (Prockop & Kivirikko 1995). Each polypeptide chain consists of repeating triplets, (Gly-X-Y), where X and Y are, with a high frequency, proline (Pro) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) repectively (Prockop & Kivirikko 1995 ; Ogawa et al. 2003). The glycine in every three amino acid is very essential. The small side chain of glycine allows the side chain from proline an...

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