Induced connective tissue metabolism in vivo: reutilization of pre-existing collagen.

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Abstract
Hydroxyproline from newly formed connective tissues of normal animals previously labeled with radioactive proline contains significant specific radioactivity when compared to other connective tissues. The formation of newly formed collagen clearly involves reutilization of previously incorporated radioactivity. Hydroxyproline from newly formed connective tissues of animals made scorbutic after previous labeling has a higher specific radioactivity than collagen from the nonscorbutic controls. Since hydroxylation of proline is inhibited by vitamin-C deviciency, this reutilization apparently does not involve de-novo synthesis. Pre-existing labeled collagen may be depolymerized to molecular units or subunits which are then reaggregated to contribute to newly formed radioactive connective tissues.