Synthesis of collagen: chemical regulation of post-translational events

Collagen biosynthesis involves many unique post-translational events. Inhibition of some of these will lead either to decreased formation of the extracellular collagen fibres or to an accumulation of fibres with altered functional properties. The events that would seem most suitable targets for chemical regulation are triple helix formation, the cleavage of propeptides from the procollagen molecules and cross-link formation. Attempts have recently been made to develop inhibitors of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in particular, as inhibition of this enzyme will prevent triple helix formation and thus lead to a non-functional protein. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase is inhibited competitively with respect to ferrous ion by several bivalent cations, especially zinc, with respect to 2-oxoglutarate by pyridine 2,5-dicarboxylate, pyridine 2,4-dicarboxylate, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate and many related compounds, with respect to oxygen by superoxide dismutase-active copper chelates and with respect to the peptide substrate by a number of peptides. Triple helix formation can also be inhibited by administering certain proline analogues such as cis-4-hydroxyproline and L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, which are incorporated into proteins in place of proline. Only preliminary data are available on the possibilities for using any of these substances to inhibit collagen accumulation in fibrotic processes.