Variation of Elastin Fluorescence with Method of Preparation: Determination of the Major Fluorophore of Fibrillar Elastin

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Abstract
The variation of fluorscence of 2 fibrillar elastins as a result of preparation methods was studied and the major common fluorophore was identified. Dilution ofacid-hydrolyzed bovine ligament elastin 1:2500 (g:ml) overcame inner filter effects (IFE) to reveal fluorescence excitation and emission maxima of 330/408 nm. An IFE effect observed in elastase-solubilized elstin was unresponsive to dilution. Elastase-solubilized elastin had maximal fluorescene at 338/410 nm (pH 2.3) and 325/394 mm (pH 7.4), and the fluoresence intensity was 35-40% of that of the acid-hydrolyzed elastin. Changes in fluorescence that occurred when an acid hydrolysate was evaporated to dryness were prevented by evaporation to a volume not less than 15 ml. As a result, there was anlmost 2-fold increase in the yield of a fluorophore with spectral maximal near 340/400 nm. Chick aorta elastin purified by enzymatic methods also contained substantial amounts of this fluorophore. The compound with fluorescence of 340/400 nm apparently is the major common fluorophore of postnatal fibrillar elastins.