Elastin chemical composition

Chemical Composition. From the point of view of leathermaking, hides consist of four broad classes of proteins coUagen, elastin, albumen, and keratin (3). The fats are triglycerides and mixed esters. The hides as received in a taimery contain water and a curing agent. Salt-cured cattie hides contain 40—50% water and 10—20% ordinary salt, NaCl. Surface dirt is usuaUy about 2—5 wt %. Cattie hides have 5—15% fats depending on the breed and source. The balance of the hide is protein (1). 

The fibrous protein elastin found extensively in connective tissues is unlike collagen in that it occurs in a less well ordered fashion, furthermore, there are quite marked differences seen between the chemical compositions of collagen and elastin. Whereas collagen comprises a very limited number of different amino acids, elastin contains a wider variety, the most abundant being glycine (approximately 30% dry weight), alanine (23%) valine (15%) and proline (12%). 

The Chemical Composition of Collagens and Elastin (Grams of residues or of N in 100 g. of protein)... 

However, NIR specua are distinctive for proteins in the blood vessel wall (specifically collagens and elastin). The ability of NIR specuometry to collect useful spectra in aqueous environments may make it useful for proteomics in vivo. The results of this study suggest that NIR spectroscopy is a potentially useful technique for investigating vascular changes and protein composition associated with AAA in a mouse model of this disease. These results support an expanded study in the future to correlate NIR spectra with chemical compositions and histological features in aortic aneurysm, which is known to often be associated with atherosclerosis. 

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