Abstract
According to the manifold physiological functions, connective tissue appears in a variety of different forms. They are characterized by specific macromolecular organizations whose formation is controlled by different collagen types. The type specific scaffolds of collagen, in which other extracellular matrix components are embedded, are responsible for the structure as well as for the biochemical properties of connective tissue. At present, three different collagen families are known, which differ in their molecular and macromolecular structures. These are the fiber forming collagens, the network forming collagens and the filamentous collagens.
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© 1985 Plenum Press, New York
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Kühn, K., Timpl, R. (1985). Collagen Families — Evolutionary Adaptation of Molecular and Macromolecular Structures to Physiological Function. In: Bairati, A., Garrone, R. (eds) Biology of Invertebrate and Lower Vertebrate Collagens. NATO ASI Series, vol 93. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7636-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7636-1_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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