Collagen stability, hydration and native state

Molecular dynamics simulations of a collagen-like peptide (Pro-Hyp-Gly)(4)-Pro-Hyp-Ala-(Pro-Hyp-Gly)(5) have been done in order to study the contribution of the hydration structure on keeping the native structure of collagen. The simulation shows that the absence of water produces a distortion on the molecular conformation and an increase in the number of intra-molecular hydrogen bonds. This is in agreement with previous experimental results showing the stiffness of collagen under severe drying and its increase in the thermal stability. This dehydrated material does not keep, however, the native structure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.