dictionary help| elastin | medical dictionary |
<protein>
Glycoprotein (70 kD) randomly coiled and cross linked to form elastic fibres that are found in connective tissue. Like collagen, the amino acid composition is unusual with 30% of residues being glycine and with a high proline content. Cross linking depends upon formation of desmosine from four lysine side groups. The mechanical properties of elastin are poorer in old animals.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
elastic membrane, elasticoviscous, elastic skin, elastic tissue < Prev | Next > elastofibroma, elastoid degeneration, elastoidin
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