Description: Col1a1 (Collagen, type I, a1) or Collagen is a major structural human protein, which assembles in the form of fibrils. It is a very long, thin and the most abundant protein found in the human body. It is a supercoiled right-helix of three left-handed polypeptide chains. These chains are composed of ~1040 amino acids, which are essentially repeats of three amino acids -(Gly-X-Y)n. Gly is glycine and X and Y can be any amino acids, but in humans are usually proline and hydroxyproline, respectively. Collagen is an essential ingredient of connective tissue. Studies in a Chinese family show that mutation in COL1A1 (Collagenase type I) is linked with type I osteogenesis imperfecta. Collagen is linked with subchondral turnover of bone, and might have potential as marker to determine the state of joint space narrowing and osteophytes in osteoarthritis.Information provided by Matexcel |