Catalysis by protein disulphide-isomerase of the assembly of trimeric procollagen from procollagen polypeptide chains.

Type-I procollagen, 14C-biosynthetically labelled, was reduced under denaturing and non-denaturing conditions. Reoxidation to disulphide-linked trimers occurred with non-denatured chains in the presence of an oxidant system containing oxidized and reduced glutathione. Dimeric intermediates were not detected. This reoxidation was accelerated by homogeneous beef liver protein disulphide-isomerase.