Polymer, Vol.47, No.15, 5360-5363, 2006
Stereo-stability and temperature induced transitions of collagen mimics
Collagenous matrix proteins present in almost every part of the vertebrate organism and in many non-vertebrates are expressed in a rich structural variety. The present communication attributes the theoretical interpretation of temperature induced transitions in collagen mimics in terms of stereochemistry, as explained by the modified Zimm and Bragg model. The results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data as reported independently by Steven K. Holmgren, Jonthan A. Hodges and Cara L. Jenkins. The order of the values of nucleation parameter and enthalpy changes obtained theoretically, is attributed not only to the stereo-chemistry but also to the relative increase in the degree of stability of collagen mimics. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.