Distribution of proteins within different compartments of tendon varies according to tendon type.

ABSTRACT: Although the predominant function of all tendons is to transfer force from muscle to bone and position the limbs, some tendons additionally function as energy stores, reducing the energetic cost of locomotion. To maximise energy storage and return, energy-storing tendons need to be more extensible and elastic than tendons with a purely positional function. These properties are conferred in part by a specialisation of a specific compartment of the tendon, the interfascicular matrix, which enables sliding and recoil between adjacent fascicles. However, the composition of the interfascicular matrix is poorly characterised and we therefore tested the hypothesis that the distribution of elastin and proteoglycans differs between energy-storing and positional tendons, and that protein distributio

SUBMITTER: Thorpe CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4974547 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature