Inhibition of fibril formation from collagen solutions in vitro by ascorbic acid, and its relationship to the electrophoretic properties of collagen subunits

1. 1. The rate of fibrillogenesis by soluble collagen is reduced by ascorbic acid and dihydroxymaleic acid but not by dehydroascorbic acid. 2. 2. Upon incubation for 5 days with the inhibitors followed by dialysis, the ability to form gels is lost. Dehydroascorbic acid reduced the rate of fibrillogenesis. 3. 3. The normal electrophoretic pattern of collagen subunits was unaltered by treatment with dehydroascorbic acid for 5 days but was lost by treatment with the other two substances. 4. 4. In place of two distinct protein bands (ga 1 and ga 2 -chains) a diffuse region of stained material was observed. 5. 5. It is concluded that the ene-diol group is involved in both phenomena.