Collagen - A Review

Collagen constitute the most abundant proteins found in the body. The collagen family consists of atleast 30 different genes, which produce 19 known types of collagen. All collagens contain greater or lesser stretches of triple helix. The repeating structure (Gly-X-Y)n is present in all collagens, with X and Y frequently being proline and hydroxyproline. Collagen biosynthesis occur inside the fibroblasts to form tropocollagen molecules. These aggregate into microfibrils that are packed together to form fibrils. Some of these fibrils associate to form fibers (eg. Type I and II) and further these fibers associate to form bundles (eg. Type I). Collagen is synthesized by fibroblasts, chondroblasts, osteoblasts, and other cells. The purpose of this article is to review the available literature on collagen with special emphasis on its role in development and maintenance of oral tissues and role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in collagen degradation.