A spartic acid racemization and collagen degradation markers reveal an accumulation of damage in tendon collagen which is enhanced with a geing

ASPARTIC ACID RACEMIZATION AND COLLAGEN DEGRADATION MARKERS REVEAL AN ACCUMULATION OF DAMAGE IN TENDON COLLAGEN WHICH IS ENHANCED WITH AGEING Chavaunne T. Thorpe, Ian Streeter , Gina L. Pinchbeck, Allen E. Goodship, Peter D. Clegg, Helen L. Birch From Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Department of Chemistry, University College London, UK; and Department of Comparative Molecular Medicine, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Cheshire, UK. Running title: Protein turnover in functionally distinct tendons Address correspondence to: Chavaunne Thorpe, University College London, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science, Stanmore Campus, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, HA7 4LP, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8909 5949; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8954 8560; email: rejacth@ucl.ac.uk