COL1A1
COL1A1 collagen type I — the molecular target that 1 compounds in the wiki act on.
In one line: The gene for type-1 collagen — the rope-like protein in your tendons, skin, and bone.
COL1A1 makes type-1 collagen, the main structural protein in tendons, ligaments, skin, and bone — essentially the body's scaffolding and rope. Collagen supplements supply the specific building blocks (with vitamin C as a required helper) to support this scaffolding, especially when you take them about an hour before loading the tissue in training.
That timing matters: it primes your tendons to rebuild stronger right when you stress them. Very relevant if you run or train hard and want your joints to keep up.