Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Production of Elastin-like Protein Hydrogels for Encapsulation and Immunostaining of Cells in 3D
Published on: May 19, 2018
Homology models for domains 21-23 of human tropoelastin shed light on lysine crosslinking
1Molecular and Health Technologies, CSIRO, Victoria 3168, Australia. leanne@dyksterhuis.com
Abstract:
The contiguous crosslinking domain at the center of human tropoelastin encoded by exons 21-23 contains an unusual 'hinge' region thought to adopt both open and closed conformations. Key lysines 425 and 437 have been implicated in both artificial and lysyl oxidase mediated crosslinks. We have examined the importance of hinge conformation to the proximity of these lysines and their ability to undergo intramolecular and intermolecular crosslinks using homology models. The results, counter intuitively, indicate that the more open hinge conformations favor intramolecular crosslinking, while the more closed conformations favor intermolecular crosslinking. We also present evidence that the sidechains of lysines 425 and 437 are able to make direct contact enabling an intramolecular lysyl oxidase mediated crosslink.
Related Concept Videos
Conserved Binding Sites
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...
Structural Protein Function
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to form...
Elastin is Responsible for Tissue Elasticity
Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular connective tissue, but in ligaments not all fibers are parallel. Dense regular elastic tissue contains elastin fibers and...
Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins
Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can exist in...
