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Klappentext Elastic proteins occur in a wide range of biological systems where they have evolved to fulfill 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 is currently 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 novel 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 interest to graduate students and researchers from a broad range of disciplines, working on any aspect of elastic proteins. Zusammenfassung Elastic proteins occur in a diverse range of biological systems! including mammalian muscles and connective tissues! arthropods (insects and spiders)! molluscs and wheat grain. The structures and elastomeric mechanisms of these proteins are compared in relation to their biological roles and potential for exploitation. Inhaltsverzeichnis 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. ...
