The mechanical function and structure of aortic microfibrils in the lobster Homarus americanus.

Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder affecting the cardiovascular system, is caused by mutations of fibrillin-based microfibrils. These mutations often affect the calcium-binding domains, resulting in structural changes to the proteins. It is hypothesized that these Ca+2 binding sites regulate the structure and mechanical properties of the microfibrils.