Welcome to ElastoDB!

The Elastin Sequence Database

What is elastin?

Elastin is a polymeric, extracellular protein responsible for providing elasticity to vertebrate tissues which are subjected to repeated cycles of stretching and mechanical manipulation. The constant mechanical stresses that these tissues undergo, coupled with the low turnover rate of elastin, means that elastin molecules need to be extremely resilient and highly durable. Indeed, the production or development of abnormal elastin may lead directly to genetic diseases such as supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), cutis laxa, and elastoderma.

It is clear that analysis of elastin sequences across multiple species will yield insights into the physical properties of these sequences along with knowledge about their evolution. However, until recently relatively few elastin sequences have been characterized despite the existence of several newly completed vertebrate genomes. For some lower vertebrates, no genomic or cDNA elastin sequences existed at all.

What is ElastoDB?

ElastoDB is a repository for well-characterized elastin sequences to facilitate its study. The database has since expanded to include other non-elastin sequences that share elastic properties.

To begin, click on Search from the menu bar to access the ElastoDB Sequence Browser.

ElastoDB was developed at the The Parkinson Lab led by Dr. John Parkinson. It is hosted and supported by The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.