Use of Shark Collagen for Cell Culture and Zymography

Abstract

The uses of shark collagen as a matrix for cell culture and as a substrate for zymography were investigated. Fibroblasts were cultured on a gel matrix of shark type I collagen at 30°C. The collagen gel had contracted by 4 days of incubation. Individual fibroblasts were visible against the transparent background of the contracted collagen as long, lean star-shaped cells. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from fibroblasts secreted from the medium more easily digested shark gelatin than pig gelatin. MMP-2, -9, and that of potential form were recognizable in the zymographic gel of shark gelatin. © 2002 by Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.