Elastin recoil is driven by the hydrophobic effect.

ABSTRACT: Elastin is an extracellular matrix material found in all vertebrates. Its reversible elasticity, robustness, and low stiffness are essential for the function of arteries, lungs, and skin. It is among the most resilient elastic materials known: During a human lifetime, arterial elastin undergoes in excess of 2 × 10⁹ stretching/contracting cycles without replacement, and slow oxidative hardening has been identified as a limiting factor on human lifespan. For over 50 y, the mechanism of entropic recoil has been controversial. Herein, we report a combined NMR and thermomechanical study that establishes the hydrophobic effect as the primary driver of elastin function. Water ordering at the solvent:protein interface was observed as a function of stretch using double quantum ²

SUBMITTER: Jamhawi NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10945822 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature