Identification and partial characterization of three low-molecular-weight collagenous polypeptides synthesized by chondrocytes cultured within collagen gels in the absence and in the presence of fibronectin.

Culture of chick-embryo sternal-cartilage chondrocytes within three-dimensional collagen gels promotes the synthesis of three low-molecular-weight collagenous polypeptides. The proportions of these novel collagens synthesized and released into the medium are markedly influenced by the presence or the absence of fibronectin in the serum supplement. Chondrocytes cultured on plastic dishes appear to synthesize only small amounts of these low-molecular-weight species. The three species (designated G, H and J) were characterized with respect to the proportion of [14C]proline incorporated into each polypeptide occurring as hydroxy[14C]proline and with respect to their susceptibilities to bacterial collagenase. On the basis of their electrophoretic mobilities under reducing conditions, the G, H and J polypeptides were calculated to have Mr 59 000, 69 000 and 84 000 respectively. Chymotrypsin digestion converted the G collagen into a species containing polypeptides of Mr 45 000, whereas the H and J polypeptides yielded a single band of Mr 53 000. The H and J polypeptides were found to occur as disulphide-linked aggregates, as was the chymotrypsin-digestion product. Peptide 'mapping' has shown that G, H and J polypeptides show no common identity and are distinct from the known interstitial collagens. Native G collagen was digested by human collagenase to discrete products, whereas H and J chains were not cleaved under identical conditions.