Collagen Synthesis

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to the topic of collagen synthesis. 

GENERAL STEPS

Here are the general steps of collagen synthesis:

1. Signal sequence directs growing polypeptide chain into the ER
2. Signal sequence is cleaved
3. Hydroxylation of selected proline and lysine residues occurs. This is vitamin C dependent
4. Glycosylation of selected hyroxylysine resides 
5. Assembly of pro-alpha chains in a pro collagen triple helix (still intracellularly in the ER)
6. Pro collagen transferred to golgi apparatus: secreted in to extracellular matrix (outside the cell at this point)
7. Terminal propetitides cleaved by N and C pro collage peptidases 
8. Collagen molecules spontaneously assemble 
9. Covalent cross links are formed by lysol oxidase. 

Page Updated: 04.28.2017