COLLAGEN: STRUCTURAL STUDIES BASED ON THE CLEAVAGE OF METHIONYL BONDS

Abstract

Eighteen peptides from the alpha1 fraction and eight from the alpha2 fraction of rat skin collagen cleaved with cyanogen bromide have been identified by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose. The isolated peptides show wide differences in amino acid composition, and their molecular weights vary from several thousand to about 23,000. The data indicate that there are two different chains in the alpha1 fraction, demonstrating the nonidentity of all three alpha-chains. The primary structure of each chain appears to be unique throughout its length.