The unusual links and cross-links of collagen

Interactions of oxidized lipids with protein. Part XVI. Interactions of oxidized ethyl linoleate with collagen

The reaction of ethyl linoleate with collagen proceeded at 60 degrees C following the first order kinetics but during the hydroperoxide decomposition the rate constant of the first order decomposition was substantially lower than that of the second order decomposition. Contrary to cellulose, collagen catalyzed the hydroperoxide decomposition. The amount of total oxidation products rose rapidly at the stage of rapid hydroperoxide formation, and slowly afterwards. The browning reaction was fasted in the stage of maximum hydroperoxide content, and both ether-insoluble and ether-soluble pigments were formed, the latter low in nitrogen. The amount of lipid oligomers increased mainly in the reaction stage following the hydroperoxide maximum. Soluble collagen was converted into insoluble forms by the reaction with oxidized lipids. Basic amino acids were blocked by reaction with oxidized lipids but the bonds formed became resistant to acid hydrolysis only in the stage following the hydroperoxide maximum. Changes of sensory profiles could be explained by reactions of flavour-active carbonylic oxidation products with protein.

The mechanism for the promotion of tenderness in meat during the post-mortem process: a review

The post-mortem changes in the chemical composition and structure of striated muscle have been reviewed on the basis of various concepts that emerged from the studies of different investigators to explain the course of tenderization of meat during aging. These concepts include the changes in the sarcoplasmic proteins, myofibrillar proteins (such as complete dissociation of actomyosin, partial dissociation of actomyosin, cleavage of disulfide linkages, depolymerization of F-actin filaments, cleavage of myosin filaments, disorganization of Z-bands and the troponin-tropomyosin complex), sarcolemma, connective tissue elements (collagen fibrils, ground substance), and the protein-ion relationship of the muscle cells (more strictly, syncytia). The experimental evidence for and against each of the views is discussed critically in the light of certain fundamentals of biophysical chemistry and biochemistry. Finally, an alternative hypothesis has been presented based on the differential effect of the post-mortem formation of lactic acid (H+ ion concentration) on the intra- and extracellular components of muscle and the possible role of lysosomal cathepsins. Consequently, a series of biophysical, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes seem to account for the mechanism by which meat becomes tender during the aging process.

Reversibility of poststenotic dilatation in the femoral arteries of dogs

Poststenotic dilatation (PSD) was produced in the femoral arteries of 14 adult dogs. After 9 days to 5 months, the band was removed. If the murmur disappeared, as it did immediately in all but four arteries, the PSD disappeared within 24 hours (studied radiologically by painting the arteries with radio-opaque thorium dioxide). In these four, the dilatation disappeared after the murmur did. Six arteries were studied at half-hour intervals for 16 hours after removal of band. In all of these, the dilatation increased during the first half hour, and then disappeared completely in 6 to 8 hours. Long term follow-up for 6 months showed no changes in diameter after the initial 24-hour period. The altered elastic properties of the distal segment previously described for the dilated segment returned to normal soon after the band was removed. The mechanism of this change is unknown, but may be produced by alterations of elastin crosslinks by vibration. We conclude that poststenotic dilatation is reversible, at least in the femoral arteries of dogs, if correction of the stenosis is associated with disappearance of the turbulence. The change is very rapid, and so does not appear related to synthesis of new connective tissue.

The metabolism of D-glyceraldehyde by the lens

1. The metabolism of d-glyceraldehyde by the lens was examined. 2. When low concentrations of d-[U-(14)C]glyceraldehyde were incubated with lens extracts there was no incorporation of the label into protein; more than two-thirds of the labelled metabolites consisted of glyceric acid and glycerol, their relative proportions depending on the species. Lactic acid, a phosphate, glutathione-glyceraldehyde compounds and a neutral compound were also formed. 3. When high concentrations of d-[U-(14)C]glyceraldehyde were incubated with lens, extensive incorporation of the label into protein occurred and the protein became yellow-brown. This coloured protein did not exhibit the fluorescent properties shown by the brown proteins of human cataractous senile lens, or of naphthaquinone-treated lens. 4. Evidence that d-glyceraldehyde is formed by the lens was sought but not found.

The effect of acid mucopolysaccharides and acid mucopolysaccharide-proteins on fibril formation from collagen solutions

1. The effects of acid mucopolysaccharides and acid mucopolysaccharide-proteins on the size and rate of formation of fibril aggregates from collagen solutions in pH7.6 buffers were studied by turbidimetric and light-scattering methods. 2. Serum albumin, orosomucoid, methylated cellulose, chondroitin sulphate A and chondroitin sulphate C of molecular weight less than 20000, and hyaluronate of molecular weight less than 40000 did not influence rates of fibril formation. Chondroitin sulphate A, chondroitin sulphate C and hyaluronate of high molecular weight retarded the rate of fibril formation. This effect of high-molecular-weight chondroitin sulphate C decreased with increasing ionic strength. Heparin, though of low molecular weight (13000), was highly effective, as was also heparitin sulphate. The chondroitin sulphate-proteins of very high molecular weight were highly effective, despite the fact that for some preparations the component chondroitin sulphate chains had molecular weights much less than 20000. 3. Agents that had delayed fibril formation were also effective in producing an increase in degree of aggregation of fibrillar collagen, as indicated by dissymmetry changes observed in light-scattering experiments at low collagen concentrations. Methylated cellulose and heparin at 2.5mug./ml. were unusual in decreasing aggregation, but heparin at 0.25mug./ml. increased aggregation. Electron microscopy of gels showed fibrils and fibril aggregates with ;normal' collagen spacing and dimensions consistent with the light-scattering results. 4. The rates of electrical transport of agents and of solvent (electro-osmosis) through collagen gels indicated a contribution of molecular entanglement that increased with increase in molecular size of the agents. Electrostatic binding of heparin to collagen was noted. Binding to collagen during fibril formation was also found for heparitin sulphate and a chondroitin sulphate with extra sulphate groups. 5. Electrostatic binding of acid mucopolysaccharide-proteins to collagen may be an important factor in the organization and functioning of connective tissues at all stages of growth and development. Excluded-volume (molecular-entanglement) effects may also be important. These factors operate simultaneously and interact mutually so that precise assessment of their relative importance is difficult.

The purification and amino acid composition of human uterus collagens, rheumatoid-arthritis-nodule collagen and ox tendon collagen

Collagens and gelatins were isolated from human post-menopausal uterus, puerperal (post-partum) uterus, rheumatoid-arthritis-nodule and ox tendon. Different means of purifying collagen were studied and a method was devised that enables highly purified collagen to be obtained, even from the uterus. This method involves the use of a number of aqueous and organic extractants as well as digestion with elastase to eliminate elastin. The purity of the collagen preparations was assessed and they were used to study the amino acid composition of collagen. The amino acid compositions of all the collagens studied were similar to those of human bone and tendon collagen, but certain small differences were noted and are discussed. The soluble collagen extracted from some of the tissues was also studied.