Description
Crude collagenase preparations contain several isoforms of two different collagenases, a sulfhydryl protease, clostripain, a trypsin-like enzyme, and an aminopeptidase. This combination of collagenolytic and proteolytic activities is effective at breaking down intercellular matrices, the essential part of tissue dissociation.
Particular enzymatic profiles of each collagenase have been correlated with the tissues from which the cells for study were obtained (or with the uses to which the cells are put) and as a result of the correlations several types of crude collagenases have been established by Worthington: Types 1, 2, 3, and 4. Worthington also offers 0.22µm filtered preparations of each type in pre-packaged form for direct reconstitution and use in cell isolation and culture procedures.