1
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Yu S, Qin R, Yuan W, Lin Z. 1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments of eggcase silk protein 3. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2024:10.1007/s12104-024-10192-4. [PMID: 39180712 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-024-10192-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Spider silk is a high-performance biomaterial known for its outstanding combination of strength and flexibility. Among the six distinct types of spider silk, eggcase silk stands out as it is exclusively produced from the tubuliform gland, playing a specialized role in offspring protection. In the spider species Latrodectus hesperus, eggcase silk is spun from a large spidroin complex, including the major silk component tubuliform spidroin 1 (TuSp1) and at least six different minor silk components. One of these minor components is eggcase protein 3 (ECP3), a small silk protein of 11.8 kDa that lacks the typical spidroin architecture. ECP3 shows very limited homology to all known spidroins. In this study, we report nearly complete backbone and side-chain resonance assignments of ECP3 as a basis for studying the structural mechanisms involved in eggcase silk formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuixin Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P.R. China
| | - Ruiqi Qin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P.R. China
| | - Wensu Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, P.R. China.
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2
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Yang Y, Gao Z, Yang D. pH-dependent self-assembly mechanism of a single repetitive domain from a spider silk protein. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124775. [PMID: 37169045 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Spider silk is self-assembled from full-length silk proteins, and some silk protein fragments can also form silk-like fibers in vitro. However, the mechanism underlying the silk fiber formation is not understood well. In this study, we investigated the fiber formation of a single repetitive domain (RP) from a minor ampullate silk protein (MiSp). Our findings revealed that pH and salt concentration affect not only the stability of MiSp-RP but also its self-assembly into fibers and aggregates. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we solved the three-dimensional (3D) structure of MiSp RP in aqueous solution. On the basis of the structure and mutagenesis, we revealed that charge-dipole interactions are responsible for the pH- and salt-dependent properties of MiSp-RP. Our results indicate that fiber formation is regulated by a delicate balance between intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, rather than by the protein stability alone. These findings have implications for the design of silk proteins for mass production of spider silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadi Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhenwei Gao
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Daiwen Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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3
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Li X, Fan JS, Shi M, Lai CC, Li J, Meng Q, Yang D. C-Terminal Domains of Spider Silk Proteins Having Divergent Structures but Conserved Functional Roles. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:1643-1651. [PMID: 35312302 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Spider silk is self-assembled from silk proteins or spidroins. C-terminal domains (CTDs) of various types of spidroins are relatively conserved in amino acid sequences and are suggested to adopt similar structures and perform similar functional roles in spidroin storage and silk formation. Here, we solved the structure of the CTD from a capture-spiral silk protein (CTDFl) and characterized its stability and fibril formation in the presence and absence of a reducing agent at different pH values. CTDFl adopts a dimeric structure with 8 helices, but the CTDs of other types of spidroins exist in a domain-swapped dimeric structure with 10 helices. Despite the structural differences, CTDFl is pH-responsive in stability and fibril formation, similar to the CTDs from minor and major ampullate spidroins. Thus, the functional role of CTDs in silk fiber formation seems conserved. Comparing wild-type CTDFl and its mutants, we found that the pH-responsive behavior results from the protonation of H76, which is conserved from different spider species. In addition, the fibril formation rate of CTDFl correlates with its instability, suggesting that structural changes are involved in fibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.,College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Song Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
| | - Mengqi Shi
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
| | - Chong Cheong Lai
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
| | - Qing Meng
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China
| | - Daiwen Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
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4
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Fan T, Zhang Y, Fan JS, Yuan W, Lin Z. 1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments of a repetitive domain of tubuliform spidroin 2. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2021; 15:475-477. [PMID: 34436735 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-021-10048-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Spider silk is renowned for its excellent mechanical properties. Among six types of silk and one silk glue produced by different abdominal glands for various purposes, tubuliform (eggcase) silk is unique due to its high serine and low glycine content. Eggcase silk is spun from at least two spidroins, tubuliform spidroin 1 (TuSp1) and TuSp2. TuSp1 and TuSp2 were identified as the major and the minor components in tubuliform glands, respectively. TuSp2 consists of multiple repetitive (RP) domains with short terminal tails and shares very limited homology to all known spidroins. Here we report backbone and side chain resonance assignments of TuSp2-RP as a basis for structural and functional studies on eggcase silk formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Song Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Wensu Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Critical role of minor eggcase silk component in promoting spidroin chain alignment and strong fiber formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2100496118. [PMID: 34531321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100496118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural spider silk with extraordinary mechanical properties is typically spun from more than one type of spidroin. Although the main components of various spider silks have been widely studied, little is known about the molecular role of the minor silk components in spidroin self-assembly and fiber formation. Here, we show that the minor component of spider eggcase silk, TuSp2, not only accelerates self-assembly but remarkably promotes molecular chain alignment of spidroins upon physical shearing. NMR structure of the repetitive domain of TuSp2 reveals that its dimeric structure with unique charged surface serves as a platform to recruit different domains of the main eggcase component TuSp1. Artificial fiber spun from the complex between TuSp1 and TuSp2 minispidroins exhibits considerably higher strength and Young's modulus than its native counterpart. These results create a framework for rationally designing silk biomaterials based on distinct roles of silk components.
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6
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Wang J, Yuan W, Qin R, Fan T, Fan JS, Huang W, Yang D, Lin Z. Self-assembly of tubuliform spidroins driven by hydrophobic interactions among terminal domains. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 166:1141-1148. [PMID: 33157141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spider silk has remarkable physical and biocompatible properties. Investigation of structure-function relationship and self-assembly process of spidroins is necessary for uncovering the mechanism of silk fiber formation. Nevertheless, how the terminal domains initiate self-assembly of soluble tubuliform spidroins to form solid eggcase silk is still not fully understood. Here we investigate the roles of both terminal domains of tubuliform spidroin 1 (TuSp1) in the silk fiber formation. We found that interactions among the terminal domains drive rapid TuSp1 self-assembly and fiber formation, which is insensitive to pH changes from 6.0 to 7.0. These interactions also contribute to the spidroin chain alignment in fiber formation upon shear-force exposure. Structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis identified eight critical surface-exposed residues involved in hydrophobic interactions among terminal domains. Spidroins with single-point mutations of these residues fail to form intermediate micelle-like structures. The structural docking model indicates that multiple terminal domains of TuSp1 may interact with each other based on hydrophobic interactions and surface complementarity, which may lead to forming the surface of the micelle-like structure. Our results provide new insights into the structural mechanism of eggcase silk formation and the basis for designing and producing novel biomaterials derived from spider eggcase silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxia Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Wensu Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Ruiqi Qin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Tiantian Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Jing-Song Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Weidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, PR China
| | - Daiwen Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China.
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7
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Chakraborty R, Fan JS, Lai CC, Raghuvamsi PV, Chee PX, Anand GS, Yang D. Structural Basis of Oligomerization of N-Terminal Domain of Spider Aciniform Silk Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124466. [PMID: 32586030 PMCID: PMC7352312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spider silk is self-assembled from water-soluble silk proteins through changes in the environment, including pH, salt concentrations, and shear force. The N-terminal domains of major and minor ampullate silk proteins have been found to play an important role in the assembly process through salt- and pH-dependent dimerization. Here, we identified the sequences of the N-terminal domains of aciniform silk protein (AcSpN) and major ampullate silk protein (MaSpN) from Nephila antipodiana (NA). Different from MaSpN, our biophysical characterization indicated that AcSpN assembles to form large oligomers, instead of a dimer, upon condition changes from neutral to acidic pH and/or from a high to low salt concentration. Our structural studies, by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and homology modelling, revealed that AcSpN and MaSpN monomers adopt similar overall structures, but have very different charge distributions contributing to the differential self-association features. The intermolecular interaction interfaces for AcSp oligomers were identified using hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and mutagenesis. On the basis of the monomeric structure and identified interfaces, the oligomeric structures of AcSpN were modelled. The structural information obtained will facilitate an understanding of silk fiber formation mechanisms for aciniform silk protein.
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8
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Chen J, Hu J, Zuo P, Shi J, Yang M. Facile preparation of recombinant spider eggcase silk spheres via an HFIP-on-Oil approach. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 116:1146-1152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.05.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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9
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Chaw RC, Collin M, Wimmer M, Helmrick KL, Hayashi CY. Egg Case Silk Gene Sequences from Argiope Spiders: Evidence for Multiple Loci and a Loss of Function Between Paralogs. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2018; 8:231-238. [PMID: 29127108 PMCID: PMC5765351 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spiders swath their eggs with silk to protect developing embryos and hatchlings. Egg case silks, like other fibrous spider silks, are primarily composed of proteins called spidroins (spidroin = spider-fibroin). Silks, and thus spidroins, are important throughout the lives of spiders, yet the evolution of spidroin genes has been relatively understudied. Spidroin genes are notoriously difficult to sequence because they are typically very long (≥ 10 kb of coding sequence) and highly repetitive. Here, we investigate the evolution of spider silk genes through long-read sequencing of Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) clones. We demonstrate that the silver garden spider Argiope argentata has multiple egg case spidroin loci with a loss of function at one locus. We also use degenerate PCR primers to search the genomic DNA of congeneric species and find evidence for multiple egg case spidroin loci in other Argiope spiders. Comparative analyses show that these multiple loci are more similar at the nucleotide level within a species than between species. This pattern is consistent with concerted evolution homogenizing gene copies within a genome. More complicated explanations include convergent evolution or recent independent gene duplications within each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Crystal Chaw
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Matthew Collin
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Marjorie Wimmer
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Kara-Leigh Helmrick
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Cheryl Y Hayashi
- Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024
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10
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From EST to novel spider silk gene identification for production of spidroin-based biomaterials. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13354. [PMID: 29042670 PMCID: PMC5645381 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A cDNA library from a pool of all the seven silk glands from a tropical spider species was constructed. More than 1000 expressed sequence tag (EST) clones were created. Almost 65% of the EST clones were identified and around 50% were annotated. The cellular and functional distribution of the EST clones indicated high protein synthesis activity in spider silk glands. Novel clones with repetitive amino acid sequences, which is one of the most important characteristics of spider silk genes, were isolated. One of these clones, namely TuSp2 in current research, contains two almost identical fragments with one short C-terminal domain. Reverse transcription (RT) PCR and expression analysis showed that it is expressed in the tubuliform gland and involved in eggcase silk formation. Furthermore, its single repetitive domain can be induced to form various types of materials, including macroscopic fibers, transparent film and translucent hydrogel. This study implies promising potentials for future identification of novel spidroins and development of new spidroin-based biomaterials.
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11
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Blamires SJ, Blackledge TA, Tso IM. Physicochemical Property Variation in Spider Silk: Ecology, Evolution, and Synthetic Production. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 62:443-460. [PMID: 27959639 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-031616-035615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The unique combination of great stiffness, strength, and extensibility makes spider major ampullate (MA) silk desirable for various biomimetic and synthetic applications. Intensive research on the genetics, biochemistry, and biomechanics of this material has facilitated a thorough understanding of its properties at various levels. Nevertheless, methods such as cloning, recombination, and electrospinning have not successfully produced materials with properties as impressive as those of spider silk. It is nevertheless becoming clear that silk properties are a consequence of whole-organism interactions with the environment in addition to genetic expression, gland biochemistry, and spinning processes. Here we assimilate the research done and assess the techniques used to determine distinct forms of spider silk chemical and physical property variability. We suggest that more research should focus on testing hypotheses that explain spider silk property variations in ecological and evolutionary contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J Blamires
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan;
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia;
| | - Todd A Blackledge
- Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325;
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan;
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12
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Peng CA, Russo J, Gravgaard C, McCartney H, Gaines W, Marcotte WR. Spider silk-like proteins derived from transgenic Nicotiana tabacum. Transgenic Res 2016; 25:517-26. [PMID: 27026165 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-016-9949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The high tensile strength and biocompatibility of spider dragline silk makes it a desirable material in many engineering and tissue regeneration applications. Here, we present the feasibility to produce recombinant proteins in transgenic tobacco Nicotiana tabacum with sequences representing spider silk protein building blocks . Recombinant mini-spidroins contain native N- and C-terminal domains of major ampullate spidroin 1 (rMaSp1) or rMaSp2 flanking an abbreviated number (8, 16 or 32) of consensus repeat domains. Two different expression plasmid vectors were tested and a downstream chitin binding domain and self-cleavable intein were included to facilitate protein purification. We confirmed gene insertion and RNA transcription by PCR and reverse-transcriptase PCR, respectively. Mini-spidroin production was detected by N-terminus specific antibodies. Purification of mini-spidroins was performed through chitin affinity chromatography and subsequent intein activation with reducing reagent. Mini-spidroins, when dialyzed and freeze-dried, formed viscous gelatin-like fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congyue Annie Peng
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 130 McGinty Court, 153 Robert F. Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Julia Russo
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 130 McGinty Court, 153 Robert F. Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Charlene Gravgaard
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 130 McGinty Court, 153 Robert F. Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
- College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Heather McCartney
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 130 McGinty Court, 153 Robert F. Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - William Gaines
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 130 McGinty Court, 153 Robert F. Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - William R Marcotte
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 130 McGinty Court, 153 Robert F. Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
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13
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Zhao YJ, Zeng Y, Chen L, Dong Y, Wang W. Analysis of transcriptomes of three orb-web spider species reveals gene profiles involved in silk and toxin. INSECT SCIENCE 2014; 21:687-698. [PMID: 24167122 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
As an ancient arthropod with a history of 390 million years, spiders evolved numerous morphological forms resulting from adaptation to different environments. The venom and silk of spiders, which have promising commercial applications in agriculture, medicine and engineering fields, are of special interests to researchers. However, little is known about their genomic components, which hinders not only understanding spider biology but also utilizing their valuable genes. Here we report on deep sequenced and de novo assembled transcriptomes of three orb-web spider species, Gasteracantha arcuata, Nasoonaria sinensis and Gasteracantha hasselti which are distributed in tropical forests of south China. With Illumina paired-end RNA-seq technology, 54 871, 101 855 and 75 455 unigenes for the three spider species were obtained, respectively, among which 9 300, 10 001 and 10 494 unique genes are annotated, respectively. From these annotated unigenes, we comprehensively analyzed silk and toxin gene components and structures for the three spider species. Our study provides valuable transcriptome data for three spider species which previously lacked any genetic/genomic data. The results have laid the first fundamental genomic basis for exploiting gene resources from these spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Jun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming
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14
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Wang S, Huang W, Yang D. Structure and Function of C-Terminal Domain of Aciniform Spidroin. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:468-77. [DOI: 10.1021/bm401709v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shujing Wang
- Department of Biological
Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
| | - Weidong Huang
- Department of Biological
Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
| | - Daiwen Yang
- Department of Biological
Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
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15
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Lin Z, Deng Q, Liu XY, Yang D. Engineered large spider eggcase silk protein for strong artificial fibers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:1216-1220. [PMID: 23172740 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201204357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
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16
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Structural characterization of minor ampullate spidroin domains and their distinct roles in fibroin solubility and fiber formation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56142. [PMID: 23418525 PMCID: PMC3571961 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider silk is protein fibers with extraordinary mechanical properties. Up to now, it is still poorly understood how silk proteins are kept in a soluble form before spinning into fibers and how the protein molecules are aligned orderly to form fibers. Minor ampullate spidroin is one of the seven types of silk proteins, which consists of four types of domains: N-terminal domain, C-terminal domain (CTD), repetitive domain (RP) and linker domain (LK). Here we report the tertiary structure of CTD and secondary structures of RP and LK in aqueous solution, and their roles in protein stability, solubility and fiber formation. The stability and solubility of individual domains are dramatically different and can be explained by their distinct structures. For the tri-domain miniature fibroin, RP-LK-CTDMi, the three domains have no or weak interactions with one another at low protein concentrations (<1 mg/ml). The CTD in RP-LK-CTDMi is very stable and soluble, but it cannot stabilize the entire protein against chemical and thermal denaturation while it can keep the entire tri-domain in a highly water-soluble state. In the presence of shear force, protein aggregation is greatly accelerated and the aggregation rate is determined by the stability of folded domains and solubility of the disordered domains. Only the tri-domain RP-LK-CTDMi could form silk-like fibers, indicating that all three domains play distinct roles in fiber formation: LK as a nucleation site for assembly of protein molecules, RP for assistance of the assembly and CTD for regulating alignment of the assembled molecules.
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17
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Heidebrecht A, Scheibel T. Recombinant production of spider silk proteins. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2013; 82:115-53. [PMID: 23415154 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407679-2.00004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Natural spider silk fibers combine extraordinary properties such as stability and flexibility which results in a toughness superseding that of all other fiber materials. As the spider's aggressive territorial behavior renders their farming not feasible, the biotechnological production of spider silk proteins (spidroins) is essential in order to investigate and employ them for applications. In order to accomplish this task, two approaches have been tested: firstly, the expression of partial cDNAs, and secondly, the expression of synthetic genes in several host organisms, including bacteria, yeast, plants, insect cells, mammalian cells, and transgenic animals. The experienced problems include genetic instability, limitations of the translational and transcriptional machinery, and low solubility of the produced proteins. Here, an overview of attempts to recombinantly produce spidroins will be given, and advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches and host organisms will be discussed.
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Wang S, Huang W, Yang D. NMR structure note: repetitive domain of aciniform spidroin 1 from Nephila antipodiana. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2012; 54:415-420. [PMID: 23129012 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-012-9679-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shujing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Humenik M, Scheibel T, Smith A. Spider silk: understanding the structure-function relationship of a natural fiber. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2011; 103:131-85. [PMID: 21999996 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-415906-8.00007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spider silk is of great interest because of its extraordinary physical properties, such as strength and toughness. Here we discuss how these physical properties relate to the way in which spiders have utilized this material in prey capture, forcing its evolution to a high-performance fiber. Female spiders can produce up to seven different types of silk, and all these have different physical properties, which relate to their various functions. The variation in properties are due to underlying differences in the proteins making up these silks. As our understanding of spider silk has increased in the recent years, it has been possible to produce recombinant versions of the respective proteins. Recombinant proteins open up the potential to produce synthetic silk fibers with properties similar to those of the natural spider silk threads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Humenik
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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Eisoldt L, Hardy JG, Heim M, Scheibel TR. The role of salt and shear on the storage and assembly of spider silk proteins. J Struct Biol 2010; 170:413-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2009.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2009] [Revised: 12/22/2009] [Accepted: 12/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Solution structure of eggcase silk protein and its implications for silk fiber formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:8906-11. [PMID: 19458259 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0813255106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider silks are renowned for their excellent mechanical properties and biomimetic and industrial potentials. They are formed from the natural refolding of water-soluble fibroins with alpha-helical and random coil structures in silk glands into insoluble fibers with mainly beta-structures. The structures of the fibroins at atomic resolution and silk formation mechanism remain largely unknown. Here, we report the 3D structures of individual domains of a approximately 366-kDa eggcase silk protein that consists of 20 identical type 1 repetitive domains, one type 2 repetitive domain, and conserved nonrepetitive N- and C-terminal domains. The structures of the individual domains in solution were determined by using NMR techniques. The domain interactions were investigated by NMR and dynamic light-scattering techniques. The formation of micelles and macroscopic fibers from the domains was examined by electron microscopy. We find that either of the terminal domains covalently linked with at least one repetitive domain spontaneously forms micelle-like structures and can be further transformed into fibers at > or = 37 degrees C and a protein concentration of > 0.1 wt%. Our biophysical and biochemical experiments indicate that the less hydrophilic terminal domains initiate the assembly of the proteins and form the outer layer of the micelles whereas the more hydrophilic repetitive domains are embedded inside to ensure the formation of the micelle-like structures that are the essential intermediates in silk formation. Our results establish the roles of individual silk protein domains in fiber formation and provide the basis for designing miniature fibroins for producing artificial silks.
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Bittencourt D, Souto BM, Verza NC, Vinecky F, Dittmar K, Silva PI, Andrade AC, da Silva FR, Lewis RV, Rech EL. Spidroins from the Brazilian spider Nephilengys cruentata (Araneae: Nephilidae). Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2007; 147:597-606. [PMID: 17490908 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2007.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2007] [Revised: 03/28/2007] [Accepted: 03/31/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Spiders produce up to six different kinds of silk, each one for a specific biological function. Spider silks are also known for their unique mechanical properties. The possibility of producing new materials with similar properties motivated research on these silk proteins (spidroins). Using expression sequence tags, we identified four spidroins produced by major ampullate, minor ampullate, flagelliform and tubuliform silk glands from the Brazilian spider Nephilengys cruentata (Araneae: Nephilidae). The new protein sequences showed substantial similarity to other spidroins previously described, with high content of alanine and glycine due to the presence of the highly repetitive motifs (polyAla, (GA)n, (GGX)n, (GPGGX)n). Similarities among sequences were also observed between the different spidroins with the exception of tubuliform spidroin, which presents a unique complex amino acid sequence with high amounts of serine and low amounts of glycine.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bittencourt
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil.
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Vendrely C, Scheibel T. Biotechnological Production of Spider-Silk Proteins Enables New Applications. Macromol Biosci 2007; 7:401-9. [PMID: 17429812 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.200600255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The outstanding mechanical properties of spider silks have motivated many researchers to establish biotechnological production techniques which are necessary to provide sufficient amounts of silk proteins for industrial applications. Based on recent developments in genetic engineering, two strategies for the recombinant production of spider-silk proteins have been established which are discussed in detail. Further, protein-design strategies are described, enabling the combination of silk properties with additional biological, chemical, or technical features. We highlight the potential of engineered and recombinantly-produced spider-silk proteins to provide the basis for a new generation of biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Vendrely
- Technische Universität München, Department Chemie, Lehrstuhl Biotechnologie, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85747 Garching, Germany
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