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Collagenolytic Activity in Gingivae of Man

Abstract

RECENT investigations by Gross et al.1–6 indicate that substantial quantities of collagen are lost from the tail fin of tadpoles during metamorphosis. They have also noted that the back skin, gill and gut, but not muscle, notochord, kidney, gonads, heart, liver and spleen from tadpoles are able to lyse collagen gels when cultured in vitro. This collagenolytic activity can be accounted for at least in part by an enzyme active against native collagen which is produced by these tissues1–6. Collagenolytic activity has also been reported in the uterus and healing wounds1.

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References

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FULLMER, H., GIBSON, W. Collagenolytic Activity in Gingivae of Man. Nature 209, 728–729 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/209728a0

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