Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders affecting connective tissues throughout the body. These tissues provide strength and elasticity to skin, joints, blood vessels, and organs.
The underlying cause of EDS is a genetic mutation that affects the synthesis, processing, or structure of collagen. Collagen is a crucial structural protein that forms the framework of connective tissues.
The process of creating functional collagen involves multiple steps, including synthesis, modification (like hydroxylation), assembly into fibrils, and secretion. These steps collectively fall under protein maturation.
Therefore, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome exemplifies a genetic defect in protein maturation, specifically related to collagen.