Collagen, insoluble, matrix

Biopolymers consist of unique self-assembled structures and thus are often used as a natural soluble additive for the morphogenesis of complex superstructures. So far, in vitro experiments have failed to reproduce the complex biomineral shapes such as CaCOa by the use of a variety of additives such as dextran [56], collagen [57], soluble mollusk shell proteins extracted from nacre [58,59], soluble macromolecules extracted from coralUne algae [60], soluble macromolecules extracted from the respective layers of a mollusk shell [61,62], protein secondary structures [63], and peptides for CaCOa crystallization [64]. The reason is that the biominerahzation process is very com-phcated and an insoluble matrix can also influence the crystallization location as a compartment (Sect. 5). 

Collagens are quantitatively the most abundant of animal proteins, representing 25% of the total. They form insoluble tensile fibers that occur as structural elements of the extracellular matrix and connective tissue throughout the body. Their name (which literally means glue-producers ) is derived from the gelatins that appear as a decomposition product when collagen is boiled. 

In contrast to milk, where samples are primarily derived from cows, meat analysis has to be performed in samples of a widely different animal origin including cattle, lamb, swine, poultry, and fish. Muscle is a complex matrix with a pH of 5.7, composed of muscle fibers, various types of connective tissue, adipose tissue, cartilage, and bones. Sarcoplasmic proteins such as myoglobin, and glycolytic enzymes are soluble in water while the myofibrillar proteins such as myosin and actin are soluble in concentrated salt solutions (14). The connective tissue proteins, collagen and elastin, are insoluble in both solvents. 

The insoluble Ca(II) salts of weak acids, such as calcium phosphate, carbonate, and oxalate, serve as the hard structural material in bone, dentine, enamel, shells, etc. About 99% of the calcium found in the human body appears in mineral form in the bones and teeth. Calcium accounts for approximately 2% of body weight (18,19). The mineral in bones and teeth is mosdy hydroxyapatite [1306-06-5] having unit cell composition Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. The mineralization process in bone follows prior protein matrix formation. A calcium pumping mechanism raises the concentrations of Ca(II) and phosphate within bone cells to the level of supersaturation. Granules of amorphous calcium phosphate precipitate and are released to the outside of the bone cell. There the amorphous calcium phosphate, which may make up as much as 30—40% of the mineral in adult bone, is recrystallized to crystallites of hydroxyapatite preferentially at bone collagen sites. These small crystallites do not exceed 10 nm in diameter (20). 

Collagen is the major insoluble fibrous protein in the extracellular matrix and in connective tissue 80-90% of the collagen in the body consists of types 1, It and 111 (Table 12.2). The collagen superfamily consists of at least 20 collagen types, with as many as 38 distinct polypeptide chains and more than 15 additional proteins that have collagen-like domains. 

The very first research project Huzella gave me was to study the intercellular substance between plant cells with the latest histological techniques used in his laboratory. He and his associates were concentrating on the study of the substance between the cells in animal tissues. Their primary interest was collagen, the fibrous, water-insoluble protein that is the main building block of the intercellular substance or intercellular matrix, as we call it today. 

Connective tissue, such as tendon and cartilage, differs from other solid tissues In that most of Its volume Is made up of extracellular matrix rather than cells. This matrix Is packed with Insoluble protein fibers and contains proteoglycans, various multladhesive proteins, and hyaluronan, a very large, nonsulfated GAG. The most abundant fibrous protein In connective tissue Is collagen. Rubberlike elastin fibers, which can be stretched and relaxed, also are present In deformable sites (e.g., skin, tendons, heart). As discussed later, the fibronectins, a family of multladhesive matrix proteins, form their own distinct fibrils In the matrix of some connective tissues. Although several types of cells are found In connective tissues, the various ECM components are produced largely by cells called fibroblasts. 

Insoluble inserts are polymeric systems into which the drug is incorporated as a solution or dispersion. Ophthalmic inserts (ocuserts) have been reported using alginate salts, poly(A-vinyl pyrrol-idone), modified collagen, and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose. Ocufit is a silicone elastomer-based matrix that allows for the controlled release of an active ingredient over a period of at least 2 weeks. Osmotically controlled inserts have also been described, where release is by diffusion and is osmotically controlled. 

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