Structure and Function of Collagen Types is a collection of articles that reviews the different types of collagens (Type I to XI). Each article focuses on a particular type of collagen and written by leading investigators in the collagen field. The book begins with a review of the fibril forming collagens (types I, II, and III) and traces the early work on the structure of these collagens to our knowledge of the structure of the collagen genes. This chapter is followed by a detailed description of type IV (basement membrane) collagen. Chapter 3 addresses the biosynthesis and chain assembly of type V collagen. The evidence that type VI collagen is assembled to form tetramers is presented in chapter 4. The subsequent article shows that type VII collagens are assembled to form partially overlapping dimers. Chapter 6 presents the structure of type VIII collagen. Chapters 7, 8, and 9 discuss the structure and characteristics of collagens that are synthesized by cartilaginous tissues and these are designated as type IX, type X, and type XI. The final chapter reviews the recombinant DNA techniques used to investigate collagen structure and the possibility to recognize new collagen types from a cDNA library. Physiologists, cell biologists, and researchers in the field of collagen will find the text very insightful.

Table of Contents:
Preface The Classical Collagens: Types I, II, and III I. Introduction II. Early Investigations III. Electron Microscopic Investigations IV. Protein Chemical Investigation V. Biochemical Investigations VI. The Covalent Structure of the Procollagens VII. The Gene Structure of Collagens I, II, and III VIII. Synopsis References Type IV Collagen I. Introduction II. Structure III. Molecular Biology IV. Biosynthesis V. Immunochemistry VI. Degradation VII. Involvement in Disease Processes VIII. Interactions with Cells and Other Proteins IX. Appendix A: al(IV) Amino Acid Sequence X. Appendix B: a2(IV) Amino Acid Sequence References Type V Collagen I. Introduction II. Compositions of Collagens V III. Nucleotide Sequences of Procollagens V IV. Structure of Procollagens V V. Biosynthesis VI. Secretion of Procollagens V and Processing VII. Location of Collagens V in the Extracellular Matrix VIII. Other Properties of Collagens V IX. Occurrence of Collagens V X. Conclusions References Type VI Collagen I. Introduction II. Protein Chemistry and Macromolecular Organization III. Biosynthesis IV. Immunology V. Tissue Distribution VI. Possible Functions and Involvement in Disease References Type VII Collagen I. Introduction II. The Structure of Type VII Collagen III. The Function of Type VII Collagen IV. Pathological Findings Related to Disruptions of the Anchoring Fibril Network References Type VIII Collagen I. Introduction II. Type VIII Collagen from Cells in Culture III. Type VIII Collagen from Tissue: Descemet's Membrane IV. Structure of Type VIII Collagen V. Summary and Conclusions References Type IX Collagen I. Introduction II. The Pepsin-Resistant Fragments III. The Intact Type IX Molecule IV. The Structure of Type IX Collagen V. Biosynthesis and Cleavage of the Intact Molecule by Proteases VI. Immunofluorescent Localization of Type IX Collagen in Cartilage Matrix VII. Summary and Conclusions References Type X Collagen I. Introduction II. Initial Discovery III. Source of Type X Collagen IV. Isolation of Type X Collagen V. Chromatography of Type X Collagen VI. Amino Acid Composition of Type X Collagen VII. Cyanogen Bromide Cleavage of Type X Collagen VIII. Thermal Stability of Type X Collagen IX. Vertebrate Collagenase Susceptibility of Type X Collagen X. Molecular Structure of Type X Collagen XI. Biosynthesis of Type X Collagen XII. Immunohistochemical Localization of Type X Collagen with a Monoclonal Antibody XIII. Biochemical Localization of Type X Collagen XIV. Functions of Type X Collagen XV. Unresolved Questions about Type X Collagen References Type XI or 1a2a3a Collagen I. Introduction II. Nomenclature III. Isolation and Analysis IV. Structure V. Biosynthesis VI. Protease Susceptibility VII. Immunochemistry VIII. Pathology IX. Possible Functions References Analysis of Collagen Structure by Molecular Biology Techniques I. Introduction II. Cloning Strategies III. Strategies for Identifying Collagen cDNA and Genomic Clones IV. Structural Protein Information that can be Easily Obtained from Cloned DNA V. Further Use of DNA Probes VI. Summary and Conclusions References Index