Collagenase is a protease that cleaves the bond between a neutral amino acid (X) and glycine in the sequence Pro-X-Glyc-Pro, which is found with high frequency in collagen. Collagenase is unique among proteases in its ability to degrade the triple-helical native collagen fibrils commonly found in connective tissues such as skin, tendon, blood vessels, and bone. Collagenase disaggregation is suitable for the culture of human tumors, mouse kidney, human adult and fetal brain, and many other tissues including epithelium. Collagenase is relatively gentle, dissociates well at physiological temperature and pH, and requires no mechanical agitation or special equipment.

Gibco™ Collagenase Type IV is isolated from Clostridium histolyticum and packaged as a lyophilized, non-sterile powder for research use in cell or tissue dissociation and organ perfusions. Gibco™ Collagenase Type IV activity is guaranteed to be greater than 160 units/mg. Compared to other collagenase preparations, Gibco™ Collagenase Type IV has low tryptic activity and is well-suited for the digestion of islet cells from the pancreas.