intermolecular cross-links in uterine collagens of guinea pig, pig, cow, and human beings

The intermolecular cross-links have been studied in the uterine insoluble collagen of guinea pig, pig, cow, and human beings with a single given procedure. After NaB3H4 reduction, there are three intermolecular cross-links; namely, dihydroxylysinonorleucine, hydroxylysinonorleucine, and histidinohydroxymerodesmosine. In human uterine collagen samples these reduced cross-links are present in equal amounts. The reduced intermolecular collagen cross-links of uterine leiomyoma are very similar to those of the normal uterine tissue. Dihydroxylysinonorleucine is the principal reduced cross-link in uterine collagen of guinea pig, pig, and cow. Alkaline hydrolysis reveals that dehydrodihydroxylysinonorleucine and dehydrohydroxylysinonorleucine occur in vivo as glycosylated derivatives.