Editing Extracellular matrix (section)

====Elastin====
[[Elastin]]s, in contrast to collagens, give elasticity to tissues, allowing them to stretch when needed and then return to their original state. This is useful in [[blood vessels]], the [[lungs]], in [[skin]], and the [[ligamentum nuchae]], and these tissues contain high amounts of elastins. Elastins are synthesized by [[fibroblast]]s and [[smooth muscle]] cells. Elastins are highly insoluble, and [[tropoelastin]]s are secreted inside a [[chaperone molecule]], which releases the precursor molecule upon contact with a fiber of mature elastin. Tropoelastins are then deaminated to become incorporated into the elastin strand. Disorders such as [[cutis laxa]] and [[Williams syndrome]] are associated with deficient or absent elastin fibers in the ECM.<ref name=PG2007/>