Collagen is a protein that is found in our body and plays an important role in the structure and strength of our skin, bones, cartilage and tendons. As we age, the production of collagen in our body decreases, which can lead to a loss of elasticity and firmness in the skin. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at collagen synthesis and how to improve it.
Collagen synthesis – what’s behind it?
Collagen synthesis is the process by which our body produces collagen. It is produced by specialized cells called fibroblasts. These are located in the dermis, i.e. the middle layer of the skin. The process of collagen synthesis is relatively complex and involves several steps. Which we will discuss below.
Where does take place?
Collagen synthesis takes place in various tissues of the body. More specifically, collagen is form in the extracellular matrix of bone, cartilage and skin. The cells responsible belong to the following cell types:
- Fibroblasts: These cells are found in the skin and connective tissue and produce collagen to maintain the structure and strength of these tissues.
- Chondroblasts : Chondroblasts หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ are found in the cartilage tissues and produce collagen to ensure the strength and elasticity of the cartilage.
- Osteoblasts: These cells are found in the bones and produce collagen to maintain the structure and strength of the bones.
- Smooth muscle cells: So-called smooth muscle cells are found in the blood vessels and produce collagen to ensure the strength and elasticity of the vessel walls.
Takes place within the cells. Then exported to the extracellular matrix (ECM), where the collagen molecules form a network that gives tissues their structure and strength. The ECM is an important component of the connective tissue that connects and supports different tissues in the body.
How collagen synthesis works
The first step in collagen synthesis is the formation of procollagen. Procollagens are precursors of collagen. That formed from amino acids. These procollagens then folded into a triple helix structure and released. In a further step. The procollagen molecules converte into collagen molecules by enzymes and finally incorporated into the extracellular matrix.
The individual steps of collagen synthesis
- Transcription
Collagen synthesis begins with the transcription of DNA into RNA. The gene for collagen is activate in the cell and mRNA copy is create. - Translation
The mRNA is transport from cell nucleus into the cytoplasm. Where it serves as a template for the synthesis of collagen. Ribosomes (responsible for protein synthesis) read the mRNA and assemble the amino acids in the correct sequence. - Formation of procollagen
The amino acid chain. That is synthesize from ribosomes is call procollagen. This precursor molecule consists of three peptide chains. That intertwin in a helical structure. - Processing
Procollagen is transporte into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Where it undergoes further modifications. The peptide chains chemically modifie and the helical structure is stabilized - Transport
Procollagen is exporte from the ER and pass through the Golgi apparatus. Where it is further process. Here, procollagen is converte into collagen molecules by cutting off the peptide chain. - Release
The finished collagen molecules released from the cell and incorporated into the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here they form a network that gives the cell structure and strength.