Role of Ca2+ for the mechanical properties of fibrillin

Eriksen, TA Wright, DM Purslow, PP Duance, VC

Ta. Eriksen et al., Role of Ca2+ for the mechanical properties of fibrillin, PROTEINS, 45(1), 2001, pp. 90-95

26

INGLESE

Article

Biochemistry & Biophysics

PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND GENETICS

0887-3585 → ACNP

45

1

2001

90 - 95

ISI

0887-3585(20011001)45:1<90:ROCFTM>2.0.ZU;2-5

Fibrillin-rich microfibrils are important structural elements widespread th roughout connective tissues. Genetic defects identified in the Ca2+ binding sites of fibrillin have severe effects and in addition Ca2+ has a marked e ffect on the microfibrillar structure. We have studied the role of Ca2+ on the mechanical behavior of fibrillin-rich microfibrils using the micro-need le technique. We find that Ca2+-depletion results in a 50% decrease in rest length and reduces the stiffness of fibrillin-rich microfibrils. At high s train, irreversible damage occurs.. This behavior is consistent with Ca2+ s tabilization of interact-ions between consecutive EGF-like domains and brea kdown in the quaternary structure upon over-extension. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.