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Related Concept Videos

Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM01:13

Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM

Three main types of fibers are secreted by fibroblasts: collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers. Collagen fiber is made from fibrous protein subunits linked together to form a long, straight fiber. Collagen fibers, while flexible, have great tensile strength, resist stretching, and give ligaments and tendons their characteristic resilience and strength. These fibers hold connective tissues together, even during the body's movement.
Connective tissue proper includes loose...
Fibril-associated Collagen01:11

Fibril-associated Collagen

Fibril-associated collagens are a type of collagens present in the extracellular matrix with interrupted triple helices or FACIT (Fibril-associated collagens interrupted triple-helices). FACIT help connect and attach the collagen fibrils with each other as well as with other proteins of the extracellular matrix.
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina01:05

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV collagen is a 400 nm long, network-forming collagen that acts as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial cells. Type IV collagen  forms the backbone of the basement membrane by scaffolding with laminin, entactin, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. Apart from rendering structural support to the basement membrane, it also helps entail signaling potentials necessary for both pathological and physiological functions.
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can exist in...
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...
Fibrous Proteins00:55

Fibrous Proteins

Fibrous proteins are either long and narrow proteins or assemble to form long and thin structures. They contain repetitive units and usually consist of either alpha helices or beta sheets and, in rare cases, a mix of both. The amino acids in the primary structure often consist of repeating amino acid sequences. The role of fibrous proteins is primarily structural. Many are located in the extracellular matrix and are present in connective tissues to impart strength and joint mobility. They are...
Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins01:21

Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins

Proteoglycans are extensively glycosylated proteins, commonly found in the extracellular matrix, interwoven with collagen fibers. Hyaline cartilage, the most common type of cartilage in the body, consists of short and dispersed collagen fibers associated with large amounts of proteoglycans. These proteoglycans have long negative charges that attract cations, which in turn attract water molecules. This influx of ions and water molecules swells up the proteoglycan like a water-soaked gel that can...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen
07:54

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen

Published on: September 20, 2012

The collagen family.

Sylvie Ricard-Blum1

  • 1Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, 69367, France. s.ricard-blum@ibcp.fr

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|March 23, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Collagens are abundant proteins forming the extracellular matrix and playing key structural roles in tissues. This diverse protein family also regulates cell behavior and has specific functions based on tissue distribution.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Collagens are the most abundant proteins in mammals, crucial for tissue structure.
  • The collagen family includes 28 members, many forming extracellular matrix assemblies.
  • Four collagens function as type II membrane proteins, also released in soluble forms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the diverse roles and characteristics of collagen proteins.
  • To highlight collagens' structural contributions to tissues.
  • To outline collagens' interactions with cells and their regulatory functions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of collagen structure and function.
  • Analysis of collagen family members and their domains.

More Related Videos

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides
07:03

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides

Published on: January 31, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen
07:54

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen

Published on: September 20, 2012

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides
07:03

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides

Published on: January 31, 2014

  • Examination of collagen interactions with cellular receptors.

    • Main Results:

    • Collagens provide structural integrity and mechanical properties to tissues.
    • They influence tissue organization, shape, and cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
    • Specific tissue distribution leads to specialized biological functions for certain collagens.

    Conclusions:

    • Collagens are essential multifunctional proteins with diverse roles.
    • Their structural and regulatory functions are critical for mammalian physiology.
    • Understanding collagen diversity is key to comprehending tissue biology.