Subunit Composition of Two Distinct Types of Collagen in the Muscle of the Squid Todarodes pacificus

Abstract

Two genetically distinct a components were isolated from each of the major and minor collagens, Type SQ-I and SQ-II collagens, from the mantle muscle of squid by phosphocellulose column chromatography, called αl(SQ-I) and α2(SQ-I), αl (SQ-II) and α2(SQ-II), respectively. The al(SQ-I) and α1 (SQ-II) components were shown to be genetically distinct from each other by peptide mapping and amino acid analysis. On the other hand, the α2(SQ-I) and α2(SQ-II) components, which migrated at almost the same position on SDS--PAGE, were similar in peptide map and amino acid composition. However, slight differences were observed in both features, suggesting genetic differences. From the results, Type SQ-I and SQ-II collagens were demonstrated to be heterotrimers [αl(SQ-I)]2α2(SQ-I) and [αl(SQ-II)]2aα(SQ-II), respectively. © 1994, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.