BIOSYNTHESIS OF COLLAGEN AND ITS ALTERATIONS IN PATHOLOGICAL STATES

Abstract

The biosynthesis of collagen involves a number of unique post-translational modifications which are catalyzed by many specific enzymes. The main steps in collagen biosynthesis are transcription and translation, hydroxylations of prolyl and lysyl residues, glycosylations of hydroxylysyl residues, chain association and disulfide bonding, triple helix formation, secretion of procollagen into the extracellular matrix, conversion of procollagen into collagen, specific aggregation of collagen molecules and crosslink formation. Information about these modifications has rapidly increased during recent years, and initial information is available about the regulation and possibilities of specific pharmacological control of collagen biosynthesis at a level of these stages. Elucidation of the biochemical defect in an inborn error of collagen biosynthesis in man was reported for the 1st time in 1972 and subsequently several additional defects were characterized. Alterations in collagen biosynthesis were also found during growth and aging, as well as in many acquired pathological states.