Journal article
The supramolecular organisation of fibrillin-rich microfibrils determines the mechanical properties of bovine zonular filaments
Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.202(21), pp.3011-3020
1999
Abstract
The zonular filaments from the eyes of cows are rich in microfibrils containing fibrillin. Tensile tests, stress-relaxation tests and X-ray diffraction studies were used to study the relationship between the mechanical behaviour of zonular filaments and the molecular packing and structure of the fibrillin-rich microfibrils. Zonular filaments show a non-linear (J-shaped) stress-strain curve and appreciable stress-relaxation. It is proposed that the non-linear properties are due to local variations in waviness in the microfibrils or assemblies of microfibrils, which straighten out and become more regularly aligned with strain. Previous and current X-ray diffraction results consistently show a partial ordering of microfibrils in zonular filaments into staggered aggregates which become more ordered and laterally aligned on stretching. Although the removal and re-addition of Ca2+ is known to change the molecular structure of fibrillin, no effect was observed on the tensile properties of the zonular filaments. It is hypothesised that strain-induced deformation in the supramolecular aggregate packing may not be Ca2+sensitive but could dominate the mechanical behaviour of microfibrillar arrays in zonular filaments.
Details
- Title
- The supramolecular organisation of fibrillin-rich microfibrils determines the mechanical properties of bovine zonular filaments
- Authors
- D M Wright (Author) - Cardiff University, United KingdomV C Duance (Author) - Cardiff University, United KingdomTim J Wess (Author) - University of Stirling, United KingdomC M Kielty (Author) - University of Manchester, United KingdomP P Purslow (Author) - Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark
- Publication details
- Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.202(21), pp.3011-3020
- Publisher
- Company of Biologists Ltd.
- Date published
- 1999
- DOI
- 10.1242/jeb.202.21.3011
- ISSN
- 0022-0949; 0022-0949
- Organisation Unit
- Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451501302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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