Figure 1

Potential points of interference along the collagen biosynthesis pathway. (1) Epigenetic level: HDAC inhibitors. (2) Post-transcriptional level: mRNA translation is reduced by miRNAs/siRNAs. (3) Post-translational level: prolyl-4-hydroxylase inhibitors reduce the stability of the procollagen triple helix. (4) Reduction/inhibition of the collagen chaperone hsp47 (pink crescent symbol) also reduces stability of the procollagen triple helices, resulting in intracellular retention and degradation. (5) Post-secretional level: Inhibition of procollagen proteinases (scissors symbol) prevents deposition of insoluble collagen molecules on the cell layer. (6) Collagen crosslinking: Inhibition of lysyl oxidase (LOX) hypothetically renders the collagen more susceptible to degradation. 7) An increase of MMP1 (orange Pacman symbol) results in faster collagen degradation and turnover.