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Chen Z, Cheng C, Liu L, Lin B, Xiong Y, Zhu W, Zheng K, He B. Tyrosine Mutation in the Characteristic Motif of the Amorphous Region of Spidroin for Self-Assembly Capability Enhancement. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:22441-22449. [PMID: 38799334 PMCID: PMC11112579 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Spidroin, with robust mechanical performance and good biocompatibility, could fulfill broad applications in material science and biomedical fields. Development of miniature spidroin has made abundant fiber production economically feasible, but the mechanical properties of artificial silk still fall short of natural silk. The mechanism behind mechanical properties of spidroin usually focuses on β-microcrystalline regions; the effect of amorphous regions was barely studied. In this study, residue tyrosines (Y) were designed to replace asparagine (N)/glutamic acid (Q) in the characteristic motifs (GGX)n in amorphous regions for performance enhancement of spidroin; the mutants presented lower free energy and significantly exhibited stronger van der Waals and electrostatic interactions, which might result from π-π stacking interactions between the phenyl rings in the side chain of tyrosine. Additionally, the soluble expressions of wild-type spidroin and mutant spidroin were achieved when heterologously expressed in E. coli, with yields of 560 mg/L (2REP), 590 mg/L (2REPM), 240 mg/L (4REP), and 280 mg/L (4REPM). Significantly, secondary structure analysis confirmed that the mutant spidroin more avidly forms more β-sheets than the wild-type spidroin, and aggregation morphology suggested that mutant spidroin displayed better self-assembly capacity and was easier to form artificial spider silk fibers; in particular, self-assembled 4REPM nanofibrils had an average modulus of 11.2 ± 0.35 GPa, about 2 times higher than self-assembled B. mori silk nanofibrils and almost the same as that of native spider dragline silk fibers (10-15 GPa). Thus, we first demonstrated a new influence mechanism of the amorphous region's characteristic motif on the self-assembly and material properties of spidroin. Our study provides a reference for the design of high-performance material proteins and their heterologous preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Chen
- College
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech
University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Li Liu
- Biomass
Molecular Engineering Center and Department of Materials Science and
Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Baoyang Lin
- College
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yongji Xiong
- College
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Weiyu Zhu
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech
University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Ke Zheng
- Biomass
Molecular Engineering Center and Department of Materials Science and
Engineering, School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Bingfang He
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech
University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
- College
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing 211816, China
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2
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Lu W, Shi R, Li X, Ma S, Yang D, Shang D, Xia Q. A review on complete silk gene sequencing and de novo assembly of artificial silk. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130444. [PMID: 38417762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Silk, especially spider and insect silk, is a highly versatile biomaterial with potential applications in biomedicine, materials science, and biomimetic engineering. The primary structure of silk proteins is the basis for the mechanical properties of silk fibers. Biotechnologies such as single-molecule sequencing have facilitated an increasing number of reports on new silk genes and assembled silk proteins. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in representative spider and insect silk proteins, focusing on identification methods, sequence characteristics, and de novo design and assembly. The review discusses three identification methods for silk genes: polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sequencing, PCR-free cloning and sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing. Moreover, it reveals the main spider and insect silk proteins and their sequences. Subsequent de novo assembly of artificial silk is covered and future research directions in the field of silk proteins, including new silk genes, customizable artificial silk, and the expansion of silk production and applications are discussed. This review provides a basis for the genetic aspects of silk production and the potential applications of artificial silk in material science and biomedical engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lu
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Run Shi
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Li
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Daiying Yang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Deli Shang
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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3
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Lu W, Ma S, Sun L, Zhang T, Wang X, Feng M, Wang A, Shi R, Jia L, Xia Q. Combined CRISPR toolkits reveal the domestication landscape and function of the ultra-long and highly repetitive silk genes. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:190-202. [PMID: 36603730 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.063] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Highly repetitive sequences play a major structural and function role in the genome. In the present study, we developed Cas9-assisted cloning and SMRT sequencing of long repetitive sequences (CACS) to sequence and manipulate highly repetitive genes from eukaryotic genomes. CACS combined Cas9-mediated cleavage of a target segment from an intact genome, Gibson assembly cloning, and PacBio SMRT sequencing. Applying CACS, we directly cloned and sequenced the complete sequences of fibroin heavy chain (FibH) genes from 17 domesticated (Bombyx mori) and 7 wild (Bombyx mandarina) silkworms. Our analysis revealed the unique fine structure organization, genetic variations, and domestication dynamics of FibH. We also demonstrated that the length of the repetitive regions determined the mechanical properties of silk fiber, which was further confirmed by Cas9 editing of FibH. CACS is a simple, robust, and efficient approach, providing affordable accessibility to highly repetitive regions of a genome. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Silkworm silk is the earliest and most widely used animal fiber, and its excellent performance mainly depends on the fibroin heavy chain (FibH) protein. The FibH gene is the main breakthrough in understanding the formation mechanism and improvement of silk fiber. In the study, we developed a CACS method for characterizing the fine structure and domestication landscape of 24 silkworm FibH genes. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to edit the repetitive sequence of FibH genes, revealing the relationship between FibH genes and mechanical properties of silkworm silk. Our study is helpful in modifying silk genes to manipulate other valuable highly repetitive sequences, and provides insight for silkworm breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Sanyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Le Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaogang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine & Health Science, Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Min Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Aoming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Run Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ling Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qingyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sericulture, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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4
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Complete gene sequence and mechanical property of the fourth type of major ampullate silk protein. Acta Biomater 2023; 155:282-291. [PMID: 36427684 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spiders spin a great diversity of silk types for daily survival and reproduction. Of the six orb-weaver silk types, the dragline silk forming orb web frame attracts the most attention because of its extremely high tensile strength and toughness. So far, four types of major ampullate silk proteins (MaSp1-4) that make up dragline silk have been identified. These MaSp types have diversified amino acid motifs that underlie the impressive mechanical property of dragline silk by forming particular structures. Existing knowledge of MaSp4 proteins is fragmented, making it difficult to illuminate the structure and function of MaSp4. Here, we report the full-length MaSp4 gene with 11,334 bp from the orb-weaving spider Araneus ventricosus. Removing the only intron, the spliced complete transcript of MaSp4 gene is 6897 bp and encodes 2298 amino acids. Analysis of the primary structure of A. ventricosus MaSp4 protein reveals the repetitive region lacks poly-A and GGX motifs but has the unique GPGPQ motifs. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses show high levels of MaSp4 mRNA were detected in major ampullate gland. Structural characterization using CD- and FTIR sepctroscopy reveals a mainly α-helical solution conformation and a very high β-turn content within fibers. Collectively, our new findings provide complete template for recombinant silk protein with specific properties and support that the GPGPQ motif found in MaSp4 could increase flexibility in dragline silk by packing in more β-turns, expanding the repertoire of sequences known to form β-turn that is available for artificial chimeric silk fibers. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Dragline silk forming orb web frame attracts the most attention because of its extremely high tensile strength and toughness. So far, four types of major ampullate silk proteins (MaSp1-4) that make up dragline silk have been identified. Existing knowledge of MaSp4 proteins is fragmented, making it difficult to illuminate the structure and function of MaSp4. Here, we report the full-length MaSp4 gene from the orb-weaving spider Araneus ventricosus. We further identify the sequence, structure, and mechanical property of MaSp4 protein, providing a new insight into the structure-funtion relationships associated with MaSp4. Collectively, our new findings provide complete template for recombinant silk protein with specific properties and support that the GPGPQ motif found in MaSp4 could increase flexibility in dragline silk by packing in more β-turns, expanding the repertoire of sequences known to form β-turn that is available for artificial chimeric silk fibers.
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Ramezaniaghdam M, Nahdi ND, Reski R. Recombinant Spider Silk: Promises and Bottlenecks. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:835637. [PMID: 35350182 PMCID: PMC8957953 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.835637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spider silk threads have exceptional mechanical properties such as toughness, elasticity and low density, which reach maximum values compared to other fibre materials. They are superior even compared to Kevlar and steel. These extraordinary properties stem from long length and specific protein structures. Spider silk proteins can consist of more than 20,000 amino acids. Polypeptide stretches account for more than 90% of the whole protein, and these domains can be repeated more than a hundred times. Each repeat unit has a specific function resulting in the final properties of the silk. These properties make them attractive for innovative material development for medical or technical products as well as cosmetics. However, with livestock breeding of spiders it is not possible to reach high volumes of silk due to the cannibalistic behaviour of these animals. In order to obtain spider silk proteins (spidroins) on a large scale, recombinant production is attempted in various expression systems such as plants, bacteria, yeasts, insects, silkworms, mammalian cells and animals. For viable large-scale production, cost-effective and efficient production systems are needed. This review describes the different types of spider silk, their proteins and structures and discusses the production of these difficult-to-express proteins in different host organisms with an emphasis on plant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ramezaniaghdam
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS at FIT – Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nadia D. Nahdi
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Reski
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS at FIT – Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ralf Reski,
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6
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Li F, Bian C, Li D, Shi Q. Spider Silks: An Overview of Their Component Proteins for Hydrophobicity and Biomedical Applications. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:255-269. [PMID: 32895035 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200907104401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Spider silks have received extensive attention from scientists and industries around the world because of their remarkable mechanical properties, which include high tensile strength and extensibility. It is a leading-edge biomaterial resource, with a wide range of potential applications. Spider silks are composed of silk proteins, which are usually very large molecules, yet many silk proteins still remain largely underexplored. While there are numerous reviews on spider silks from diverse perspectives, here we provide a most up-to-date overview of the spider silk component protein family in terms of its molecular structure, evolution, hydrophobicity, and biomedical applications. Given the confusion regarding spidroin naming, we emphasize the need for coherent and consistent nomenclature for spidroins and provide recommendations for pre-existing spidroin names that are inconsistent with nomenclature. We then review recent advances in the components, identification, and structures of spidroin genes. We next discuss the hydrophobicity of spidroins, with particular attention on the unique aquatic spider silks. Aquatic spider silks are less known but may inspire innovation in biomaterials. Furthermore, we provide new insights into antimicrobial peptides from spider silk glands. Finally, we present possibilities for future uses of spider silks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Li
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Bian
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Daiqin Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiong Shi
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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7
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Saric M, Eisoldt L, Döring V, Scheibel T. Interplay of Different Major Ampullate Spidroins during Assembly and Implications for Fiber Mechanics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2006499. [PMID: 33496360 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202006499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Major ampullate (MA) spider silk has fascinating mechanical properties combining strength and elasticity. All known natural MA silks contain at least two or more different spidroins; however, it is unknown why and if there is any interplay in the spinning dope. Here, two different spidroins from Araneus diadematus are co-produced in Escherichia coli to study the possible dimerization and effects thereof on the mechanical properties of fibers. During the production of the two spidroins, a mixture of homo- and heterodimers is formed triggered by the carboxyl-terminal domains. Interestingly, homodimeric species of the individual spidroins self-assemble differently in comparison to heterodimers, and stoichiometric mixtures of homo- and heterodimers yield spidroin networks upon assembly with huge impact on fiber mechanics upon spinning. The obtained results provide the basis for man-made tuning of spinning dopes to yield high-performance fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merisa Saric
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
| | - Lukas Eisoldt
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
| | - Volker Döring
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Prof-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1, Bayreuth, 95447, Germany
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8
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Zhang C, Mi J, Qi H, Huang J, Liu S, Zhang L, Fan D. Engineered a novel pH-sensitive short major ampullate spidroin. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 154:698-705. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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9
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Nanostructured, Self-Assembled Spider Silk Materials for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1174:187-221. [PMID: 31713200 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9791-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The extraordinary mechanical properties of spider silk fibers result from the interplay of composition, structure and self-assembly of spider silk proteins (spidroins). Genetic approaches enabled the biotechnological production of recombinant spidroins which have been employed to unravel the self-assembly and spinning process. Various processing conditions allowed to explore non-natural morphologies including nanofibrils, particles, capsules, hydrogels, films or foams. Recombinant spider silk proteins and materials made thereof can be utilized for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering or 3D-biomanufacturing.
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10
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Thamm C, DeSimone E, Scheibel T. Characterization of Hydrogels Made of a Novel Spider Silk Protein eMaSp1s and Evaluation for 3D Printing. Macromol Biosci 2017; 17. [PMID: 28805010 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201700141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recombinantly produced spider silk proteins have high potential for bioengineering and various biomedical applications because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity. Here, the recently described small spider silk protein eMaSp1s is assembled into hydrogels, which can be 3D printed into scaffolds. Further, blending with a recombinantly produced MaSp2 derivative eADF4(C16) alters the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels. Different spider silk hydrogels also show a distinct recovery after a high shear stress deformation, exhibiting the tunability of their features for selected applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Thamm
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Fakultät für Ingenieurwissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Elise DeSimone
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Fakultät für Ingenieurwissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Fakultät für Ingenieurwissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Zentrum für Kolloide und Grenzflächen (BZKG), Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayerisches Polymerinstitut (BPI), Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (BZMB), Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.,Institut für Bio-Makromoleküle (bio-mac), Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Materialzentrum (BayMAT), Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
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11
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Thamm C, Scheibel T. Recombinant Production, Characterization, and Fiber Spinning of an Engineered Short Major Ampullate Spidroin (MaSp1s). Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:1365-1372. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Bayerisches Polymerinstitut (BPI), Universitätsstraße 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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12
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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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13
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Rising A. Controlled assembly: a prerequisite for the use of recombinant spider silk in regenerative medicine? Acta Biomater 2014; 10:1627-31. [PMID: 24090990 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent biotechnological progress has enabled the production of spider silk proteins, spidroins, in heterologous hosts. Matrices based on recombinant spidroins support stem cell growth and are well tolerated when implanted in living tissue, thus the material is highly attractive for use in regenerative medicine. However, the matrices made are far from natural silk in terms of mechanical properties and are either spontaneously assembled, which results in heterogeneous products, or spun from harsh solvents with the concomitant risk of harmful remnants in the final products. If we could mimic the spider's aqueous silk spinning process we would likely obtain a material that had reproducible and better characteristics and that more easily could be transferred to clinical practice. Herein, the knowledge of the spiders' silk production system and the prerequisites for artificial spinning and assembly of recombinant proteins are reviewed and discussed in a biomedical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rising
- KI-Alzheimer Disease Research Center, NVS (Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society) Department, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Biomedical Centre, Box 575, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
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14
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Andersson M, Holm L, Ridderstråle Y, Johansson J, Rising A. Morphology and composition of the spider major ampullate gland and dragline silk. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:2945-52. [PMID: 23837699 DOI: 10.1021/bm400898t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Spider silk is made of unique proteins-spidroins-secreted and stored as a protein solution (dope) in specialized glands. The major ampullate gland, source of the dragline silk, is composed of a tail, a sac and an elongated duct. For this gland, several different types of epithelial cells and granules have been described, but it is largely unknown how they correlate with spidroin production. It is also not settled what parts of the large spidroins end up in the final silk, and it has been suggested that the N-terminal domain (NT) is lacking. Here we show that NT is present in the dope and throughout dragline silk fibers, including the skin layer, and that the major ampullate tail and sac consist of three different and sharply demarcated zones (A-C), each with a distinct epithelial cell type. Finally, we show that spidroins are produced in the A and B zone epithelia, while the C zone granules lack spidroins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Andersson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Biomedical Centre, Uppsala, Sweden
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