Elastomeric Proteins

This book was originally published in 2002. Elastic proteins occur in a wide range of biological systems where they have evolved to fulfil precise biological roles. The best known include proteins in vertebrate muscles and connective tissues, such as titin, elastin and fibrillin, and spider silks. However, other examples include byssus and abductin from bivalve molluscs, resilin from arthropods and gluten from wheat. Interest in elastomeric proteins has been high for several reasons. Firstly, their biological and medical significance, particularly in human disease. Secondly, the unusual properties of proteins such as spider silks provide opportunities to develop materials. Thirdly, the development of scanning probe microscopy makes it possible to study structures and biomechanical properties of these proteins at the single molecule level. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the various aspects of elastomeric proteins.

Spis treści:
1. The biology of elastic tissues R. McNeil Alexander
2. Elastic proteins, biological roles and mechanical properties J. Gosline
3. Elastin, a representative ideal protein elastomer D. W. Urry
4. Elastin as a self-organising biomaterial F. W. Keeley
5. Fibrillin, from microfibril assembly to biomechanical function C. M. Kielty
6. Biology of spider silks F. Vollrath
7. Sequences, structures and properties of spider silks R. Lewis
8. Structure and function of resilin Svend Olav Anderson
9. A marine bioelastomer, mussel byssus J. H. Waite
10. Gluten, the elastomeric protein of wheat seeds P. R. Shwry
11. Spectrin elasticity in red bllod cells G. H. Thomas and D. E. Discher
12. Viscoelastic properties of collagen P. Fratzl
13. Role of titin in vertebrate striated muscle J. Trinick
14. Biological liquid crystal elastomers D. P. Knight and F. Vollrath
15. Restraining cross-links in elastomeric proteins A. Bailey
16. Comparative structures and properties of elastic proteins A. S. Tatham and P. R. Shewry
17. Mechanical applications of elastic proteins J. Vincent.