| Customization: | Available |
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| CAS No.: | 9007-58-3 |
| Formula: | N/a |
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Elastin is a critical extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that provides tissues such as arteries, heart valves, pulmonary tissues, skin, and ligaments with the ability to stretch and return to their original shape . It is composed mainly of two domains in its soluble precursor, tropoelastin: hydrophobic regions that contribute to elasticity and hydrophilic cross-link domains that facilitate the formation of desmosine cross-links, which are crucial for the fiber's strength and stability .
Elastin's unique properties, such as its long half-life of about 70 years in humans, make it a durable and essential component for maintaining tissue integrity and function . The biosynthesis of elastin occurs primarily during late embryonic development through adolescence, with minimal de novo synthesis in adulthood . Once secreted, tropoelastin monomers self-assemble and are cross-linked with the help of enzymes like lysyl oxidase to form insoluble, mature elastic fibers .
The distribution of elastin in the body is reflective of the mechanical demands placed on various tissues. For instance, high elastin content is found in the aorta and major blood vessels, lungs, elastic ligaments, and skin, where its elasticity is crucial for their normal physiological function . Moreover, elastin plays a significant role in the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation, through changes in its expression and structural modifications .
The mechanical efficiency of elastin is attributed to its entropic elasticity, which is driven by a high degree of conformational disorder and hydration, allowing the molecule to be flexible and easily stretched . The elasticity of elastin is also influenced by its spatial arrangement and interaction with other ECM components like collagen and microfibrils .
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