Elastin

Elastin is an extracellular matrix protein that forms durable, stretchable fibers. It lets tissues such as skin, lungs, and arteries return toward their original shape after deformation.

Tropoelastin: Tropoelastin is the soluble precursor protein secreted by cells and assembled into elastin. Elastin fibers begin as tropoelastin molecules deposited outside cells.
Aorta: The aorta is the body's largest artery, carrying blood from the heart to the systemic circulation. Its elastic lamellae expand with each heartbeat and recoil between beats.
Amino acid: An amino acid is an organic molecule that serves as a building block of proteins. Elastin's unusual composition and cross-links arise from its constituent amino acids.
Cutis laxa: Cutis laxa is a group of connective tissue disorders marked by loose, inelastic skin. Defects in elastic-fiber formation can produce skin that hangs and recoils poorly.
ELN: ELN is the human gene that encodes the elastin protein. Changes or deletions in ELN alter elastin production and elastic-fiber function.
Fibrillin: Fibrillin is a structural glycoprotein that forms microfibrils in the extracellular matrix. Fibrillin-rich microfibrils guide tropoelastin deposition during elastic-fiber assembly.
Lung: A lung is a respiratory organ where gas exchange occurs across thin air-filled surfaces. Elastic fibers contribute to the passive recoil that helps expel air.
Protein: A protein is a biological macromolecule made of amino-acid chains folded into functional structures. Elastin's material properties emerge from its sequence and assembled protein structure.
Supravalvular aortic stenosis: Supravalvular aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aorta above the aortic valve. ELN mutations can cause this narrowing by disrupting elastin in arterial walls.
Fibroblast: A fibroblast is a connective-tissue cell that produces extracellular matrix components. Fibroblasts secrete tropoelastin in many elastin-rich tissues.

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