SOLUBILIZATION OF AN ELASTIN-LIKE PROTEIN FROM COPPER-DEFICIENT PROCINE AORTA

1. 1. A soluble elastin-like protein is present in the aortas of copper-deficient swine. Studies were undertaken to determine the optimal means of selectively solubilizing this protein. 2. 2. Swelling and solubilization studies on copper-deficient and normal, young, porcine aortas over a range of pH values revealed a marked difference in the behavior of the two tissues. Sharp maxima of swelling and solubilization were observed in the copper-deficient tissue at pH 3 and 7. 3. 3. By further studies of the effects of salt at these pH's, it was determined that a relatively pure elastin-like protein can be solubilized from the copper-deficient aorta at pH 3 and low salt concentration. A method of extracting the aorta under these conditions is described. © 1969.