[Modern concepts of the metabolism and genetic polymorphism of collagen (a review)].

The data on structure, biosynthesis, post-synthetic modifications, extracellular development and degradation of collagen are briefly reviewed. Role of main enzymes, participating in collagen turnover, is discussed. Isoforms of the protein are considered in details. The importance of studies on collagen proteins is noted in connection with investigations on morphogenesis, cell differentiation, regeneration.