Inhibition of procollagen cell-free synthesis by amino-terminal extension peptides

Abstract
Peptides prepared from the amino termini of pro .alpha.1(I) and pro .alpha.1(III) collagen chains inhibit the production of pro .alpha.1(I) and pro .alpha.2 by rat calvaria RNA in a reticulocyte cell-free system. The synthesis of other proteins was not altered, suggesting a specific effect on collagen production. Various peptides from the helical region of the .alpha.1(I) chain did not alter translation. Apparently there is a regulatory function in collagen synthesis for the amino-terminal peptides from procollagen.