# MOLECULAR DEVELOPMENT OF COLLAGEN FIBERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 1988 · $151,587

## Abstract

The overall aim is to understand the biosynthesis of collagen fibers.

The function of collagen V is unknown.  Our discovery of procollagen V
showed similarities with interstitial collagens in molecular length and
processing of propeptides, but uncovered significant new features which we
shall now investigate.  The long-lived intermediate p-collagen (V) and the
final collagen V both retain larage non-collagenous peptides.  We shall
characterize them, their interactions with the unusual "P-peptides" to
which the intermediate becomes linked, and their potential, interesting
role as linkers between fibers, cell surfaces and basement membranes.

We have found a new  procollagen V chain which seems to be specific for
tendon.  Its molecular function will be studied relative to the
differential fiber structure of the core and gliding surfaces of tendons
and of tendon sheaths, and its production by cells derived from these
different regions.  This information will help in wound healing of resected
tendons.

We shall determine the forms of procollagen I and their state of molecular
association when they exit from fibroblasts and deposit on nascent fibers.
Supramolecular assembly of extracellular matrix depends on the
concentrations of the interacting components.  We shall study how far
molecular exclusion effects critically change the effective concentrations.

In chick embryo blood vessels we found a new collagenous peptide.  We will
isolate it, compare it with the recently described "intima" collagen VI,
and follow its assembly.  This is of importance to finding new molecular
arrangements in fibrous collagens.  We shall combine biosynthetic,
immunological and molecular electron microscopic approaches to follow
extracellular matrix assembly.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3154778
- **Project number:** 5R01AR013748-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **SAM.gov UEI:** RN64EPNH8JC6
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN H FESSLER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $151,587
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-02-01 → 1990-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3154778

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3154778, MOLECULAR DEVELOPMENT OF COLLAGEN FIBERS (5R01AR013748-20). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3154778. Licensed CC0.

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