Fibrous Proteins
From Proteopedia
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Fibrous proteins are made up of polypeptide chains that are elongated and fibrous in nature or have a sheet like structure. These fibers and sheets are mechanically strong and are water insoluble. They are often structural proteins that provide strenth and protection to cells and tissue. Two coil coiled chains of tropomyosin are shown in the scene to the right. The α-keratins are fibrous proteins involved in the structure of hair, finger nails and horns, and their secondary structure is the α-helix with a higher level of structure being the coiled coil. Fibroins (a β-keratin) are fibrous proteins making up silk and spider webs, and their secodary structure is β-sheets. Collagen is an abundant fibrous protein in vertebrate animals being found in tendons, cartilage and bone, and it has a unique structure. Elastin is an important component of ligaments, is highly elastic and having no secondary structure has a highly unordered structure. The unordered structure permits it to stretch in two dimensions.
External Links
Collagen Elastin Fibroins Keratins
