The Effect of Various Oxygen Tensions on The Synthesis and Degradation of Bone Collagen in Tissue Culture. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The effect of various oxygen tensions on the synthesis and degradation of bone collagen has been studied biochemically in tissue culture. The incorporation of H³-proline from the tissue culture medium into collagen H³-hydroxyproline has been used as an index of collagen synthesis, and the release of hydroxyproline into the tissue culture medium as an index of collagen degradation. The results show that at low oxygen tensions the rate of collagen synthesis exceeds that of degradation. At higher oxygen tensions, both the rates of synthesis and degradation increase. At an oxygen tension of 50%, the rates of synthesis and degradation are approximately equal. Under the latter conditions evidence is also presented which suggests that the bone collagen present in the calvaria at the time of explantation is more susceptible to resorption than the collagen synthesized during culture.