Once synthesized, preprocollagen undergoes several post-translational modifications:
Cleavage of Signal Peptide: The signal peptide is cleaved to form procollagen. Hydroxylation: Specific proline and lysine residues are hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase, respectively, in the presence of vitamin C. Glycosylation: Hydroxylysine residues are glycosylated with glucose or galactose. Triple Helix Formation: Three procollagen molecules align and form a triple helix structure, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
