THERMAL DENATURATION OF SOLUBLE CALF-SKIN COLLAGEN.

1. Soluble calf-skin collagen has been denatured thermally between 37 degrees and 60 degrees and the component proteins have been separated on carboxymethylcellulose. 2. Four main fractions have been separated; alpha and beta (in the nomenclature in common usage) and two other fractions. (The alpha and beta components are complex owing to the presence of alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(1) and beta(2) parts). 3. Fractions 3 and 4 undergo rapid denaturation between 39 degrees and 40 degrees whereafter fraction 4 remains virtually unchanged even at 60 degrees . 4. That portion of fraction 4 which remains at 60 degrees is thought to be identical with the fraction designated gamma by other workers, this fraction being composed of three alpha-chains in covalent linkage (such bonds are alkali-labile). 5. The equilibrium between alpha, beta and fractions 3 and 4 is apparently reversible since acid-soluble collagen after denaturation at 45 degrees or 60 degrees followed by cooling to 0 degrees for 30min. was found to contain only fraction 4 when chromatographed at 37 degrees .