Polymorphisms in the Human Tropoelastin Gene Modify In Vitro Self-Assembly and Mechanical Properties of Elastin-Like Polypeptides

Editorial summary

This study asks whether relatively subtle variations in the human elastin gene can alter protein assembly and material performance. Genetic variation resources were surveyed, and two amino-acid substitutions were introduced into elastin-like polypeptides and full-length tropoelastin. Experiments compared self-assembly and the mechanical behavior of the resulting materials. Both variants affected these properties, and one substitution enhanced selected elastomeric characteristics. The findings show that small sequence changes can influence elastic matrix behavior in vitro. They do not establish that a particular variant causes cardiovascular disease in an individual patient.