Isolation and properties of fluorescent components associated with calcified tissue collagen

Fluorescent components in bone and dentine were separated from alkaline hydrolysates of their matrices on Sephadex C25 CM cationic exchange columns. The fluorescence levels, and the excitation (λ max 330 nm) and emission (λ max 395 nm) spectra, were the same as those observed in the intact and gelatinised matrices. The fluorescence parameters were unaltered by the hydrolysis procedure. Gel filtration on Sephadex G. 10 columns further resolved the isolated material into two components with the same fluorescence and UV absorption properties. The fluorescence was independent of pH over the range 3.5–9.5. Dialysis and gel filtration studies on the gelatinised matrices indicated a firmly-bonded association of the fluorescent material with the collagen polypeptide chains.