Fractal aspects of elastin supramolecular organization.
The supramolecular organisation of elastin and its soluble derivative alpha-elastin were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was found a variety of different structures including filaments, fibrils, fibres, networks and dendritic, leaf-like forms. Self-similar patterns, extending for at least three orders of magnitude, were revealed, strongly suggesting the presence of fractal objects. The fractal dimension D was determined by using the box counting method.
Tamburro
A M
AM
Department of Chemistry, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.
De Stradis
A
A
D'Alessio
L
L
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004549:Elastin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017709:Fractals; D011487:Protein Conformation
D004549:Elastin