Abstract
Summary
1) Fibers of acid-soluble collagen reconstituted with chondroitin sulfate showed sheet-like structures without indication of spacings. After treatment for 2 days with basal salt solution at pH 7.3 and 37°C, containing neither calcium nor phosphate ions, non-striated fibers were formed of 300-1500 Å thickness. If either calcium or phosphate ions were present partial transformation to the form with 640 Å spacings took place. If both of these ions were present this transformation occurred more rapidly and more completely. 2) These findings suggest that calcium and phosphate ions interact with sites on the collagen fiber where the breaking of electrostatic bonds catalyzes transformation to the 640 Å spaced fiber.
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