The Fascinating World of Collagen: The Protein that Holds Us Together

Collagen, the most abundant protein in animals, is more than just a simple protein. It is fibrous in nature, made from long strands of protein that intertwine to form a tough triple helix. In the words of chemistry professor Ron Raines, the senior author of a groundbreaking study on collagen, “Collagen is the scaffold that holds us together.”

What makes collagen so unique is the way peptide bonds are formed within its structure. These bonds are formed between a carbon atom from one amino acid and a nitrogen atom from the adjacent amino acid. The carbon atom also forms a double bond with an oxygen atom, creating a molecular structure known as a carbonyl group. This carbonyl oxygen has a pair of electrons that, instead of forming bonds with other atoms, can be shared with the carbonyl group of a neighboring peptide bond.

This intricate molecular structure plays a crucial role in the strength of collagen. The pair of electrons inserted into the peptide bonds prevent water molecules from disrupting the bond structure, making collagen incredibly resilient and durable.

Raines emphasizes the importance of collagen’s triple helical structure, noting that there are no weak links in its composition. This exceptional strength is one of the reasons why collagen has stood the test of time.