MCB Lecture 38 Connective Tissue Flashcards
What are the two structural proteins in the extracellular matrix?
Elastin
Collagen
Describe the contents of extracellular matrix
Fibrous proteins
Adhesive proteins
Ground substance: proteoglycans
What are the adhesive proteins in ECM?
Fibronectin
Laminin
What is the function of ECM? (2)
- Support
2. Regulation of cellular activities
Which cells produce ECM? (4)
Cells within the ECM, mysenchymal cells
Eg. Fibroblasts
Osteoblasts
Chondroblasts
Also epithelial cells
Describe the structure of collagen
Three alpha helices intertwine to becomes a Super helix (triple helix)
Super helices interact via cross linking to form fibrils
Fibril interact to form collagen fibres
Describe the synthesis of fibrillar collagen
- Helix translated into ER
- Three helices intertwine with disulfide bonds, propeptides present on the ends
Q3. Triple helix packaged and exocytosed - Outside the cell, the pro-peptides are cleaved, and fibrils form
- Fibres form by covalent cross links between fibrils
Where do collagen fibrils form?
Outside the cell
What are the three types of collagen?
Fibrillar
Fibrillar associated collagen
Sheet forming collagen
Describe the features of fibril associated collagen
- Flexible region where there is no helix
- Bind to fibrillar collagen
- Pro-peptides aren’t cleaved
What are propeptides?
Where are they cleaved?
What is their function?
These are peptide regions on the end of the triple helices
They are cleaved when the triple helix is exocytosed
Their function is to stop fibrils forming inside the cell. Only once the helices are outside the cells can fibrils form
How is tensile stretch in collagen regulated?
The number of cross links in the fibrils corresponds to the tensile strength
The more cross links, the stronger the fibre
What do defects in collagen cause? (4)
- Scurvy
- Ehlers Danlos syndrome
- Achondrogenesis
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
What are the features of elastin?
- Stretchy, provides elasticity
Where is elastin found?
- Arteries, especially the aorta
2. Lungs
Describe the structure of elastin
Covalently cross linked network of elastin molecules + fibrillin