Elastin

Elastin is a highly elastic protein in connective tissue that allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. It helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Elastin is also an important load-bearing tissue in the bodies of vertebrates and used in places where mechanical energy is required to be stored.

Structure

Elastin is made by linking many soluble tropoelastin protein molecules, in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme lysyl oxidase, to form an insoluble, durable cross-linked array. The cross-linking results in the formation of desmosine and isodesmosine, unique to elastin.

Function

Elastin's function is to be stretchable and, after being stretched, to be able to return to its original shape. This is ideal for many tissues in the body, such as the lungs, arteries, skin, and bladder. It is present in all vertebrates above the jawless fish.

Clinical significance

Elastin serves an important function in arteries and is particularly abundant in large elastic blood vessels. It is also very important in the lungs, elastic ligaments, the skin, and the bladder. When elastin is not functioning properly, disorders such as Marfan syndrome, Williams syndrome, Supravalvular aortic stenosis, and Cutis laxa can occur.

See also

• Collagen
• Extracellular matrix
• Marfan syndrome
• Williams syndrome
• Supravalvular aortic stenosis
• Cutis laxa

References

Elastin Resources
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