Fibrillin molecules aggregate to form an extendible beaded structure which is a major component of “Elastin Associated” microfibrils

A mouse monoclonal antibody was used to identify beaded aggregates found in guanidine extracts of human amnion as assemblies of fibrillin molecules. These aggregates were also shown to be a major component of extracellular matrix microfibrils. We further demonstrated that the periodicity of these aggregates can be increased when subjected to mechanical stress.Human amnion was extracted with guanidine and the extracted material purified using ion exchange and molecular sieve chromatography. A high molecular weight fraction was precipitated by dialyzing against dilute acetic acid. Part of the precipitate was suspended in 0.2 M ammonium bicarbonate buffer and rotary shadowed. A second portion was resuspended in culture medium containing antibody which recognizes matrix microfibrils, diluted 1:5 in ammonium bicarbonate and reacted for 120 minutes at room temperature. Antibody labeled precipitate was washed by repeated pelleting and resuspension in buffer and then incubated in Janssen GAM 5 nm gold conjugate for 60 minutes at room temperature.