Ascorbate induction of collagen synthesis as a means for elucidating a mechanism for quantitative control of tissue-specific function

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5054072

Swartz, R I; Mandell, R B; Bissell, M J

Ascorbic acid displays the characteristics of an ideal inducer of tissue-specific function in primary avian tendon cells in culture. It is a highly specific, potent stimulator of collegen synthesis, it demonstrates slow reversible kinetics, and it has no effect on growth rate of the cultured cells. Kinetic analysis of ascorbate induction of collegen synthesis was used to determine the critical steps in this complex biosynthetic pathway. Full hydroxylation of the proline residues in collagen, although probably a necessary step for collagen induction, was in itself not sufficient for achieving either increased secretion or increased synthesis. On the other hand, an increase in secretion rate, which required both the presence of ascorbate and a high cell density, did correlate with the later stimulation in procollagen production. The process of procollagen secretion, therefore, meets the minimal requirements for the rate-limiting step. The fact that the cells maintained a large pool of intracellular procollagen despite changes in the rates of translation or secretion led us to postulate a possible feedback between the level of the internal procollagen pool and the rate of procollagen synthesis.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5054072
• Journal Information: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 1:9; ISSN MCEBD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
ASCORBIC ACID
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CELL CULTURES
CHEMISTRY
COLLAGEN
ELECTROPHORESIS
KINETICS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
REACTION KINETICS
SCLEROPROTEINS
SYNTHESIS
VITAMINS