Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Elastin is also an important load-bearing tissue in the bodies of mammals and used in places where mechanical energy is required to be stored. Elastin is particularly abundant in large elastic blood vessels such as the aorta. It is also very important in the lungs, elastic ligaments, the skin, the bladder, and elastic cartilage.
Elastin is composed largely of glycine, proline, and other hydrophobic residues and contains multiple lysine-derived crosslinks, such as desmosines, which link the individual polypeptide chains into a rubberlike network. The hydrophobic regions of the chains, between the crosslinks, are highly mobile. The hydrophobic and crosslinking domains are coded by separate, small (27 to 114 bp) exons that are separated by large introns. The initial translation product is a 72kD polypeptide, designated tropoelastin. Elastin is made by linking many soluble tropoelastin protein molecules, in a reaction catalyzed by lysyl oxidase, to make a massive insoluble, durable cross-linked array.
Tropoelastin is a water-soluble molecule with a molecular weight of approximately 70,000 daltons. Multiple tropoelastin molecules covalently bind together with crosslinks to form the protein elastin that is very prevalent in the body. Tropoelastin is unusual in that it exists in multiple forms, called polymorphs. Tropoelastin is not normally available in its native state, since it becomes crosslinked immediately after its synthesis by the cell and during its export into the extracellular matrix. Tropoelastin confers strength and elasticity to the skin and other organs in the body. A synthetic form of human tropoelastin is made from Genetically Modified organisms for use in wound healing and topical skin care.
Applications:
Suitable for Western Blot, ELISA, Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry. Other applications not tested.
Recommended Dilution:
ELISA: 1:1000 -1:2000
Western Blot: 1:200 -1:500
Immunohistochemistry: 1:50 -1:100
Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.
In many cases, antigenicity of elastic fiber components can be enhanced by treating with 6M guanidine HCl, 50mM dithiothreitol, 20mM Tris pH 8.0 for 15 minutes. After washing with 20mM Tris pH 8.0, the slides are treated with 100mM iodoacetamide in the dark for 15 minutes, washed and stained using normal protocols.
Storage and Stability:
Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20 degrees C. Stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. Reconstitute with sterile ddH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. Reconstituted product is stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.
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