Collagenases

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Abstract
Mechanism of Action of Mammalian CollagenasesThere is still debate about the initial step in degradation of the collagen fibril. Milsom et al.98 have suggested that a "depolymerase" may be the first enzyme to attack the fibril and break off small fragments of collagen, which could then be phagocytosed and degraded intracellularly. The "depolymerase" described by these workers, however, was active at pH 4.0 and inactive against native collagen at pH 6.0 or greater. At present, there is no evidence that extracellular pH drops below 6.6. The pH of inflammatory exudates has been measured at 7.0 or above.99 Using microtechnics, . . .