What is collagenase?

Collagenases are the category of enzymes that accelerate collagen hydrolysis. This task is fulfilled by interrupting peptide bonds in collagen, a vital part of the extracellular animal matrix in the body and connective tissue in the body. Collagenase helps to create collagen by cleavage of pro-collagen, precursor collagen as soon as it is excreted by the cell. This resulted in his release into the academic world as a commercial isolate in 1959. In the age of 80, several types were separated and characterized by a number of studies. These multiple classes differed in function and composition, but also shared many common features. The optimum pH for stability ranges from approximately 6.3 to 7.5 with the theoretical isoelectric point 5.62. In addition, its enzymatic activity means numerous compounds and molecules that have the ability to act as its activator or inhibitor. For example, Ca ^{2+ and Zn}

2+ are two known activators. On the other hand, ethylenediaminettetracetic acid (EDTA), ethylene glycol tEtraoctová (EGTA), Cysteine, Histidine, Dithiothreitol (DTT), 2-Mercaptoethanol, O-Fenanthrolin, HG Cu

2+ and Zn 2+ are all known collagenase activity inhibitors.

In the pharmaceutical industry, collagenase has a number of applications. One such application is its use for isolation of cardiomyocytes from bone, cartilage and muscle tissue. Another known application is its use to stop the introduction of pathogens in experiments with bioprocessic. In the use of collagenase in research studies, investigators use highly cleaned preliminaryparts purchased from various companies.

It has also been found that collagenases help in the destruction of extracellular structures in pathogenic bacteria. For example, within the Clostidium bacteria, collagenase acts as exotoxin that is any toxin excreted mikRoganism to cause damage to the host by disturbing normal cell function. It acts as a virulence factor and helps to spread gas gangrene by targeting connective tissue in muscle cells and other body organs.

Within the body, collagenase production can be induced during an immune response. Cytokines that are protein molecules indicating small cells stimulate fibroblastic and osetoblastic cells, causing indirect tissue damage. This led to approval of collagenase for two medical use. The first is the use of sandyl ointment to remove dead skin from the wound. The second use is for the treatment of contracture duputren.