Abalone collagens: immunological properties and seasonal changes of their mRNA levels

The antisera were raised against pepsin-solubilized abalone collagen and it s corresponding gelatin. The reactivity against abalone collagen was higher with the anti-collagen than anti-gelatin antiserum. The two antisera recog nized all type I collagens from various vertebrates, whereas these had no r eactivity against vertebrate type III and type V collagens. Furthermore, bo th antisera reacted with only alpha 2(I) chains from chicken, rat, and calf . The strong reactivity was observed against the two antisera in the case o f invertebrate and protochordate collagens, especially for turban shell col lagen. The seasonal changes of collagen mRNA levels were examined in relati on to those of collagen content. Haliotis discus collagens (Hdcols) 1 alpha and 2 alpha coding for abalone collagen pro alpha-chains showed quite simi lar patterns. The highest mRNA levels in adductor and foot muscles for the two collagens were observed in December and January, in good agreement with the ina rase of collagen content. The mRNA levels decreased in July and Au gust when collagen content decreased. These results indicate that collagen transcription levels are closely related to collagen contents. (C) 2000 Els evier Science Inc. All rights reserved.