Semipreparative isolation of collagen types I, II, III and V by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroelution

A simple method for the isolation of α-chains of different collagen types was developed. The procedure involves sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroelution of separated and defixed collagen α-chains. Collagen types I, II, III and V from different porcine tissues were recovered in high quantity (>95%) and purity (>98%) as evidenced by amino acid analysis. The procedure can be used for sample quantities smaller than required for conventional methods, e.g. chromatographic procedures.