Tags: Protein.
Collagenases are enzymes that break the peptide bonds in collagen. They assist in destroying extracellular structures in the pathogenesis of bacteria such as Clostridium. They are a considered a virulence factor facilitating the spread of gas gangrene. They normally target the connective tissue in muscle cells and other body organs.Collagen a key component of the animal extracellular matrix is made through cleavage of pro-collagen by collagenase once it has been secreted from the cell.