Figure 2.

Model of MCT molecular organization based primarily on sea-cucumber dermis and including some of the factors known to influence its mechanical properties. For simplicity, the model assumes that stiparin, novel stiffening factor and tensilin form dimers that act as interfibrillar crossbridges. Fibrosurfin has been detected in sea-urchin MCT but its function and microstructural disposition are unknown. (Used with permission of Royal Society of Chemistry, from reference [20]; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.).