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. It is primarily composed of the amino acids glycine, valine, alanine and proline. 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. Elastin is particularly abundant in large elastic blood vessels such as the aorta. Muscles do not use elastin for their mechanical function. Elastin is particularly important in arteries, lung, elastic ligaments, skin, bladder, and elastic cartilage.

Structural proteins | Elastomers

Elastin | Elastin | 弹性蛋白