Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

Which enzyme is responsible for degrading denatured collagen?

1. Collagenase

2. Gelatinase

3. Elastase

4. Protease

The correct answer is: Gelatinase

The enzyme responsible for degrading denatured collagen is gelatinase. Gelatinase is a specific type of matrix metalloproteinase that effectively breaks down gelatin, which is derived from denatured collagen. This makes gelatinase particularly important in processes where collagen is remodeled, such as wound healing and tissue repair. While other enzymes listed have roles in the degradation of proteins, gelatinase specifically targets denatured forms of collagen, highlighting its precise function in the extracellular matrix remodeling. Collagenase, for instance, is more specifically active on native collagen rather than its denatured form, making gelatinase the correct enzyme in this context.