Degradation rates of type II and III collagens by tadpole collagenase are modulated by mutual presence.

Degradation of type II and III collagens by tadpole collagenase in a mixture of both substrates was monitored by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 3 M urea, followed by densitometric quantiation. The degradation rates of type II and III collagens were increased and decreased, respectively, by the mutual prsence, compared with those of type II and III collagens alone. The results suggest that the degradation of type II collagen in vivo may be regulated by the presence of other type(s) of collagen, particularly in such a case as resorption of cartilage in the region of newly forming osteoid tissue.