Uv-Irradiation of Collagen and its Effect on Fibril Reconstitution

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Abstract
UV-irradiation at 2537 A suppresses the ability of collagen to form native-type fibrils and causes conformationaI changes. Analysis of dose-effect curves and action spectra indicates that the major targets of UV-induced damage of the collagen molecule are peptide bonds. These bonds are split by the absorbed energy producing a local gelatin-like structure which leads to increased flexibility of the rigid, rod-like collagen molecule. Consequently, the activation energy of fibril reconstitution increases. After prolonged irradiation, no fibrils are formed because the activation energy has become too large to be attained by the damaged molecules.