Question

Compare and contrast the roles of ECM proteins; collagen and proteoglycan. List several of the collagen types and their distributions where they are found.

Answer 1

Hi Answer:

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

The extracellular matrix contains extracellular molecules secreted by the supporting cells and it provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells. It is abbreviated as ECM. The ECM can be assumed as soup or a gel mixture of water, polysaccharides, fibrous proteins, and hybrid cross of a protein and sugar. Its structure a protein core part and several long sugar chains are surrounding it.

Compare and contrast between collagen and proteoglycan.

Collagen	Proteoglycan.
Are the most abundant insoluble proteins found in the animal body. It makes up to 25-35% of whole body proteins.	Proteoglycans are the major part of animal extracellular matrix. They act as filler substance between cells in an organism.
Collagens are structural proteins and found in extracellular space in different connective tissues.	Proteoglycans unit consists of one core protein attached with one or more covalently attached glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain(s)
Collagen is a protein made up of amino-acids: glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine, which help our skin, hair nails to stay healthy	The Proteoglycans are highly glycosylated proteins.
They have triple helical domain structure having 3 distinct alpha chains.	Proteoglycans allow connective tissues of ECM to withstand compression forces through hydration and swelling pressure to the tissue.

Types of collagen proteins and their distribution in the body:

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the animal kingdom. There are about 16 types of collagens proteins found in the animal body but the abundant collagen types are type I. II and III.

Collagen type I: The type I collagen protein is commonly known as the supported protein it support skin, muscles, bone, hair, and nail health maintenance. It contains more than 90% of the organic mass of bone and is also act as the major component of skin, tendons, and ligaments.

Collagen type II: They make 50-60% of cartilage proteins. They support back, jaw and joints. Purified collagen II does not exist by itself, only in combination with glucosamine & chondroitin. Collagen type II proteins make the fluids and also help in the function of joints.

Collagen type III: The function of collagen type III is in combination with type II collagen. Type III minimize the fine lines and wrinkles from face. They improve elasticity. It supports the bone matrix.