The Evolution of Elastin

摘要: Elastin is the matrix protein imparting physiologically essential properties of extensibility and elastic recoil to large arteries, lung parenchyma other vertebrate tissues. a polymeric formed from tropoelastin monomers cross-linked, like collagens, through side chains lysine residues by action lysyl oxidase. Unlike many proteins, elastin appeared relatively late in evolution, present all species sharks humans, but absent at least as vascular lampreys, hagfish lower chordates invertebrates. As an entropic elastomer, polypeptide must remain disordered even state. Like structural has low complexity, highly nonpolar repetitive sequence, with conservation unusual ‘style’ sequence apparently relaxed requirement for precise conservation, between closely related species. Here, using both full-length partial sequences representing full range phylogeny over which this found, we describe elements domain arrangements that are shared tropoelastins therefore likely be required its fundamental elastomer. We then examine differences perhaps adaptations species- or tissue-specific functional requirements may drive evolutionary changes. Finally, consider relationship glycine-rich, proteins have been described invertebrates possible roots protein.