The main difference between collagen 1 2 and 3 is that collagen 1 is most abundant in bones, tendons, ligaments, and in the skin while collagen 2 occurs in hyaline and articular cartilages and collagen 3 is the main component of reticular fibers which make a supporting mesh in soft tissues and organs. Furthermore, collagen 1 is good for strong nails and hair, while collagen 2 supports joint health and collagen 3 is important for gut healing and improving skin elasticity and hydration. In addition, marine collagen is the best source of collagen 1; organic bone broth protein is the best source of collagen 2 while bovine collagen peptides are the best source of collagen 3.
Collagen 1, 2, and 3 are three of the several main types of collagen, which is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Collagen 1
– Definition, Structure, Occurrence, Importance
2. What is Collagen 2
– Definition, Structure, Occurrence, Importance
3. What is Collagen 3
– Definition, Structure, Occurrence, Importance
4. What are the Similarities Between Collagen 1 2 and 3
– Outline of Common Features
5. What is the Difference Between Collagen 1 2 and 3
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cartilage, Collagen 1, Collagen 2, Collagen 3, Connective Tissues, Fibrils 
What is Collagen 1
Collagen 1 is the most abundant form of collagen in the human body. Generally, more than 90% of collagen in the human body is collagen 1. Moreover, a combination of two pro-alpha1(I) chains and a pro-alpha2(I) chain forms the type I procollagen, which has a triple-stranded, rope-like structure. However, outside the cells of the extracellular matrix, enzymes process type I procollagen to arrange into long and thin fibrils, which cross-link to one another around cells. Thus, this is the mature form of collagen 1, which very strong.
Figure 1: Scar Collagen
Furthermore, collagen 1 occurs in ligaments, tendons, bones, myofibrils, the dermis of the skin, the dentin of teeth, etc. It also occurs in scar tissues formed as a result of the wound healing process. Marine collagen is the main source of collagen 1 in supplements. Moreover, collagen 1 gives strong nails and thick hair. In addition, it improves skin elasticity and hydration while minimizing fine line and wrinkles.
What is Collagen 2
Collagen 2 is the main component of collagen in both articular and hyaline cartilages. Generally, around 90% of the protein component of these cartilages are collagen 2. Moreover, it is a homotrimer of alpha1(II) chains. However, this type of collagen also forms a fibrillar network, which entraps proteoglycan aggregates while providing the tensile strength to the tissue.
Figure 2: Collagen in Cartilages
Moreover, the oral administration of collagen 2 is useful in arthritis as it makes up the majority of collagen in cartilages. Basically, cartilages protect bones at their joints. Thus, in general, collagen 2 is important for joint health. Furthermore, the key source of collagen 2 is the organic bone broth protein.
What is Collagen 3
Collagen 3 is a homotrimer of collagen, forming long, inflexible collagen fibrils. Generally, this homotrimer is made up of alpha1(III) chains. Collagen 3 is the major major component of collagen in reticular fibers, which occur in hollow organs including large blood vessels, bowel, and uterus.
Figure 3: Collagen in the Skin
Furthermore, collagen 3 mainly occurs along with collagen 1. Therefore, supplements of collagen 1 and 3 can increase skin hydration and skin suppleness while decreasing micro-furrows. In addition, bovine collagen peptides are a great source of collagen 1 and 3.
Similarities Between Collagen 1 2 and 3
- Collagen 1, 2, and 3 are three main types of collagen, the main structural protein in connective tissues.
- Moreover, collagen is the most abundant type of protein in the mammal body.
- All are fibrillar collagen types. Therefore, they are elongated fibrils made up of triple-helices.
Difference Between Collagen 1 2 and 3
Definition
Collagen 1 refers to the most abundant form of collagen in humans, forming large collagen fibers while collagen 2 refers to the abundant form of collagen in articular and hyaline cartilages. Moreover, collagen 3 refers to a homotrimer with a long, inflexible, triple-helical domain.
Structure
Furthermore, collagen 1 is a heterotrimer made up of two alpha1(I) chains and an alpha2(I) chain, and collagen 2 is a homotrimer of alpha1(II) chains while collagen 3 is a homotrimer of alpha1(III) chains.
Genes
COL1A1 and COL1A2 are the genes responsible for the synthesis of collagen 1; COL2A1 gene is responsible for the synthesis of collagen 2 while COL3A1 gene is responsible for the synthesis collagen 3.
Occurrence
Collagen 1 occurs in tendons, ligaments, the endomysium of myofibrils, the organic part of bone, the dermis, the dentin, organ capsules, and in scar tissues; collagen 2 occurs in the articular and hyaline cartilage while collagen 3 occurs as a major structural component in hollow organs such as large blood vessels, uterus, and bowel.
Characteristics
Furthermore, collagen 1 is the strongest form of collagen, and collagen 2 provides tensile strength to the tissue while collagen 3 is inflexible.
Importance
Collagen 1 is good for strong nails and hair; collagen 2 supports joint health while collagen 3 is important for gut healing and improving skin elasticity and hydration.
Sources
Marine collagen is the best source of collagen 1; organic bone broth protein is the best source of collagen 2 while bovine collagen peptides are the best source of collagen 3.
Conclusion
Collagen 1 is the most abundant form of collagen in the human body. Moreover, it occurs in ligaments, tendons, bone, the dermis of the skin, etc. However, collagen 2 is the main form of collagen in articular and hyaline cartilage. In contrast, collagen 3 mainly occurs in the reticular cartilage of hollow organs. Moreover, collagen 1 and 3 are important for bone, nail, hair, and skin. On the other hand, collagen 2 is good for the health of cartilage and joints. Therefore, the main difference between collagen 1 2 and 3 is their occurrence and importance.
References:
1. Price, Annie. “Types of Collagen: 5 Most Common, Benefits and How to Get.” Dr. Axe, 3 Feb. 2019, Available Here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Scar collagen” By PW31 – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Glycosaminoglycans” By Mfigueiredo – derived from Glycosaminoglycans.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Younger skin vs older skin” By Lieslecath – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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