Elastin

Introduction to Elastin

Elastin is a deformable extracellular protein found in the lungs, large arteries, and elastic ligaments.

Elastin Structure

Elastin is actually a polymer formed from many tropoelastin monomers. These monomers, comprised of about 700 small, nonpolar amino acids each and deposited onto fibrillin scaffolds and are crosslinked to form elastic fibres.

Elastin Degradation

Elastin is cleaved by elastase, which is produced by neutrophils and is present at low levels in the lungs. Elastase is normally inhibited by alpha1-antitrypsin, maintaining lung elastin levels. Genetic deficiency or oxidation of alpha1-antitrypsin can to increased elastase activity in the lungs and result in emphysema.