Collagenase is a protease (endopeptidase) that specifically recognizes the Pro‑X‑Gly‑Pro motif — abundant in collagen and uncommon in other proteins — and cleaves the peptide bond between residue X and glycine (Gly). While many proteases digest single‑stranded, denatured collagen peptides, collagenase is unique in its ability to degrade native collagen fibers with an intact triple‑helical structure, the major structural component of connective tissues.

This product is isolated from *Clostridium histolyticum* and supplied as a crude enzyme blend. It contains collagenase (formally clostridiopeptidase A), which digests native collagen and reticular fibers, alongside auxiliary proteases, polysaccharidases and lipases. These accessory enzymes break down proteins, polysaccharides and lipids within the extracellular matrix of connective and epithelial tissues, making this blend well suited for tissue dissociation.

Commercially available bacterial collagenases are classified into four types—Type I, II, III, and IV—primarily based on differences in enzymatic activity profiles, each with distinct application preferences:

• Type I Collagenase: Exhibits a balanced profile of collagenase, caseinase, clostripain and trypsin‑like activity. Widely used for isolating epithelial cells and cells from liver, lung, adipose and adrenal tissue.
• Type II Collagenase: Exhibits higher clostripain activity. Typically used for preparing cells from heart, bone, skeletal muscle, thymus, and cartilage.
• Type III Collagenase: Features lower overall protease activity. Often used for mammary cell isolation.
• Type IV Collagenase: Contains low trypsin-like activity. Preferred for pancreatic islet cell isolation or any application requiring preservation of cell surface receptor integrity.

This product is Type II Collagenase with a specific activity of ≥125 U/mg solid. It is suitable for dissociating tissues and cells from heart, thyroid, salivary glands, liver, bone and cartilage.

Enzyme Product Selection Guide

[Note]: Phenol red-free trypsin solutions are more suitable for: flow cytometry (to avoid phenol red interference with fluorescence signals); hormone-related research (e.g., experiments with estrogen-sensitive cells such as breast cancer cells and endometrial cells); serum-free or special culture systems (where phenol red may interfere with sodium-potassium balance or medium components).

Components

Unit Definition: One unit is defined as the amount of enzyme that hydrolyzes collagen to yield amino acids equivalent to 1 µmol of L-leucine within 5 hours at 37℃ and pH 7.5.