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Li J, Jiang B, Chang X, Yu H, Han Y, Zhang F. Bi-terminal fusion of intrinsically-disordered mussel foot protein fragments boosts mechanical strength for protein fibers. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2127. [PMID: 37059716 PMCID: PMC10104820 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37563-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbially-synthesized protein-based materials are attractive replacements for petroleum-derived synthetic polymers. However, the high molecular weight, high repetitiveness, and highly-biased amino acid composition of high-performance protein-based materials have restricted their production and widespread use. Here we present a general strategy for enhancing both strength and toughness of low-molecular-weight protein-based materials by fusing intrinsically-disordered mussel foot protein fragments to their termini, thereby promoting end-to-end protein-protein interactions. We demonstrate that fibers of a ~60 kDa bi-terminally fused amyloid-silk protein exhibit ultimate tensile strength up to 481 ± 31 MPa and toughness of 179 ± 39 MJ*m-3, while achieving a high titer of 8.0 ± 0.70 g/L by bioreactor production. We show that bi-terminal fusion of Mfp5 fragments significantly enhances the alignment of β-nanocrystals, and intermolecular interactions are promoted by cation-π and π-π interactions between terminal fragments. Our approach highlights the advantage of self-interacting intrinsically-disordered proteins in enhancing material mechanical properties and can be applied to a wide range of protein-based materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Li
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Bojing Jiang
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Xinyuan Chang
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Han Yu
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Yichao Han
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Fuzhong Zhang
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
- Division of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
- Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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2
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Bio-Inspired Muco-Adhesive Polymers for Drug Delivery Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14245459. [PMID: 36559825 PMCID: PMC9785024 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Muco-adhesive drug delivery systems continue to be one of the most studied for controlled pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Briefly, muco-adhesive polymers, can be described as bio-polymers that adhere to the mucosal (mucus) surface layer, for an extended residency period of time at the site of application, by the help of interfacial forces resulting in improved drug delivery. When compared to traditional drug delivery systems, muco-adhesive carriers have the potential to enhance therapeutic performance and efficacy, locally and systematically, in oral, rectal, vaginal, amongst other routes. Yet, the achieving successful muco-adhesion in a novel polymeric drug delivery solution is a complex process involving key physico-chemico-mechanical parameters such as adsorption, wettability, polymer chain length, inter-penetration and cross-linking, to list a few. Hence, and in light of accruing progress, evidence and interest, during the last decade, this review aims to provide the reader with an overview of the theories, principles, properties, and underlying mechanisms of muco-adhesive polymers for pharmaceutics; from basics to design to characterization to optimization to evaluation to market. A special focus is devoted to recent advances incorporating bio-inspired polymers for designing controlled muco-adhesive drug delivery systems.
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3
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Berger O, Battistella C, Chen Y, Oktawiec J, Siwicka ZE, Tullman-Ercek D, Wang M, Gianneschi NC. Mussel Adhesive-Inspired Proteomimetic Polymer. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:4383-4392. [PMID: 35238544 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c10936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Herein, a synthetic polymer proteomimetic is described that reconstitutes the key structural elements and function of mussel adhesive protein. The proteomimetic was prepared via graft-through ring-opening metathesis polymerization of a norbornenyl-peptide monomer. The peptide was derived from the natural underwater glue produced by marine mussels that is composed of a highly repetitive 10 amino acid tandem repeat sequence. The hypothesis was that recapitulation of the repeating unit in this manner would provide a facile route to a nature-inspired adhesive. To this end, the material, in which the arrangement of peptide units was as side chains on a brush polymer rather than in a linear fashion as in the natural protein, was examined and compared to the native protein. Mechanical measurements of adhesion forces between solid surfaces revealed improved adhesion properties over the natural protein, making this strategy attractive for diverse applications. One such application is demonstrated, using the polymers as a surface adhesive for the immobilization of live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Berger
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Claudia Battistella
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Yusu Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Julia Oktawiec
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Zofia E Siwicka
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Danielle Tullman-Ercek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Muzhou Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Simpson-Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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4
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Li J, Zhu Y, Yu H, Dai B, Jun YS, Zhang F. Microbially Synthesized Polymeric Amyloid Fiber Promotes β-Nanocrystal Formation and Displays Gigapascal Tensile Strength. ACS NANO 2021; 15:11843-11853. [PMID: 34251182 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ability of amyloid proteins to form stable β-sheet nanofibrils has made them potential candidates for material innovation in nanotechnology. However, such a nanoscale feature has rarely translated into attractive macroscopic properties for mechanically demanding applications. Here, we present a strategy by fusing amyloid peptides with flexible linkers from spidroin; the resulting polymeric amyloid proteins can be biosynthesized using engineered microbes and wet-spun into macroscopic fibers. Using this strategy, fibers from three different amyloid groups were fabricated. Structural analyses unveil the presence of β-nanocrystals that resemble the cross-β structure of amyloid nanofibrils. These polymeric amyloid fibers have displayed strong and molecular-weight-dependent mechanical properties. Fibers made of a protein polymer containing 128 repeats of the FGAILSS sequence displayed an average ultimate tensile strength of 0.98 ± 0.08 GPa and an average toughness of 161 ± 26 MJ/m3, surpassing most recombinant protein fibers and even some natural spider silk fibers. The design strategy and the biosynthetic approach can be expanded to create numerous functional materials, and the macroscopic amyloid fibers will enable a wide range of mechanically demanding applications.
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5
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de C Bittencourt DM, Oliveira PF, Souto BM, de Freitas SM, Silva LP, Murad AM, Michalczechen-Lacerda VA, Lewis RV, Rech EL. Molecular Dynamics of Synthetic Flagelliform Silk Fiber Assembly. MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING 2021; 306:2000530. [PMID: 34539237 PMCID: PMC8445496 DOI: 10.1002/mame.202000530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In order to better understand the relationship between Flagelliform (Flag) spider silk molecular structural organization and the mechanisms of fiber assembly, it was designed and produced the Nephilengys cruentata Flag spidroin analogue rNcFlag2222. The recombinant proteins are composed by the elastic repetitive glycine-rich motifs (GPGGX/GGX) and the spacer region, rich in hydrophilic charged amino acids, present at the native silk spidroin. Using different approaches for nanomolecular protein analysis, the structural data of rNcFlag2222 recombinant proteins were compared in its fibrillar and in its fully solvated states. Based on the results was possible to identify the molecular structural dynamics of NcFlag2222 prior to and after fiber formation. Overal rNcFlag2222 shows a mixture of semiflexible and rigid conformations, characterized mostly by the presence of PPII, β-turn and β-sheet. These results agree with previous studies and bring insights about the molecular mechanisms that might driven Flag silk fibers assembly and elastomeric behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela M de C Bittencourt
- Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation - Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology CENARGEN, Parque Estação Biológica, PqEB, Av. W5 Norte (final), Brasília DF, 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Paula F Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan UT, 84322-5305, US
| | - Betulia M Souto
- Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation - Embrapa Agroenergy, STN - Brasília, DF, 70297-400, Brazil
| | - Sonia M de Freitas
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of BiologicDral Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campos Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Luciano P Silva
- Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation - Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology CENARGEN, Parque Estação Biológica, PqEB, Av. W5 Norte (final), Brasília DF, 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Andre M Murad
- Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation - Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology CENARGEN, Parque Estação Biológica, PqEB, Av. W5 Norte (final), Brasília DF, 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Valquiria A Michalczechen-Lacerda
- Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation - Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology CENARGEN, Parque Estação Biológica, PqEB, Av. W5 Norte (final), Brasília DF, 70770-917, Brazil
| | - Randolph V Lewis
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan UT, 84322-5305, US
| | - Elibio L Rech
- Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation - Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology CENARGEN, Parque Estação Biológica, PqEB, Av. W5 Norte (final), Brasília DF, 70770-917, Brazil
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6
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Raidt T, Santhirasegaran P, Hoeher R, Tiller JC, Katzenberg F. Shock- and Energy-Absorption Capability of Cold-Programmable Shape Memory Polymers. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201800274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Raidt
- Biomaterials and Polymer Science; Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering; TU Dortmund; 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Panusa Santhirasegaran
- Biomaterials and Polymer Science; Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering; TU Dortmund; 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Robin Hoeher
- Biomaterials and Polymer Science; Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering; TU Dortmund; 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Joerg C. Tiller
- Biomaterials and Polymer Science; Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering; TU Dortmund; 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Frank Katzenberg
- Biomaterials and Polymer Science; Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering; TU Dortmund; 44227 Dortmund Germany
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7
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Hu X, Fagone P, Dong C, Su R, Xu Q, Dinu CZ. Biological Self-Assembly and Recognition Used to Synthesize and Surface Guide Next Generation of Hybrid Materials. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:28372-28381. [PMID: 29939708 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Free-standing, high aspect ratio sulfur-doped carbon nanodot-based hybrid nanowires with a microtubular aspect were synthesized using self-recognition and self-assembly processes of tubulin, a biological molecule precursor of the cytoskeletal microtubule. Physicochemical characterizations (e.g., morphology, diameter, spectral characteristics, etc.) of such user-synthesized hybrid bionanowires were performed using classical atomic and spectroscopic techniques, whereas bioactivity and functionality testing was demonstrated by mimicking cellular transport based on kinesin, a motor protein capable to recognize, and move on the microtubules. Our results indicate that user-synthesized hybrid nanowires could be manipulated in vitro under constant chemical energy of adenosine triphosphate and have the potential to be implemented in the next generation of synthetic applications from drug delivery to diagnosis systems, and photocatalytic to optical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rigu Su
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (Beijing) , Beijing 102249 , China
| | - Quan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (Beijing) , Beijing 102249 , China
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8
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Yazawa K, Malay AD, Ifuku N, Ishii T, Masunaga H, Hikima T, Numata K. Combination of Amorphous Silk Fiber Spinning and Postspinning Crystallization for Tough Regenerated Silk Fibers. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:2227-2237. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Yazawa
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ali D. Malay
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nao Ifuku
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takaoki Ishii
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Masunaga
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
- Harima Institute SPring-8 Center, Research Infrastructure Group, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Takaaki Hikima
- Harima Institute SPring-8 Center, Research Infrastructure Group, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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9
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Guo C, Zhang J, Jordan JS, Wang X, Henning RW, Yarger JL. Structural Comparison of Various Silkworm Silks: An Insight into the Structure-Property Relationship. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:906-917. [PMID: 29425447 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Silkworm silk has attracted considerable attention in recent years due to its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and promising applications in biomedical sector. However, a clear understanding of the molecular structure and the relationship between the excellent mechanical properties and the silk protein sequences are still lacking. This study carries out a thorough comparative structural analysis of silk fibers of four silkworm species ( Bombyx mori, Antheraea pernyi, Samia cynthia ricini, and Antheraea assamensis). A combination of characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy, mechanical test, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and NMR spectroscopy was applied to investigate the morphologies, mechanical properties, amino acid compositions, nanoscale organizations, and molecular structures of various silkworm silks. Furthermore, the structure-property relationship is discussed by correlating the molecular structural features of silks with their mechanical properties. The results show that a high content of β-sheet structures and a high crystallinity would result in a high Young's modulus for silkworm silk fibers. Additionally, a low content of β-sheet structures would result in a high extensibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchen Guo
- School of Molecular Sciences, Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Arizona State University , Tempe , Arizona 85287-1604 , United States
| | - Jin Zhang
- Australian Future Fibers Research and Innovation Centre, Institute for Frontier Materials , Deakin University , Burwood VIC 3216 , Australia
| | - Jacob S Jordan
- School of Molecular Sciences, Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Arizona State University , Tempe , Arizona 85287-1604 , United States
| | - Xungai Wang
- Australian Future Fibers Research and Innovation Centre, Institute for Frontier Materials , Deakin University , Burwood VIC 3216 , Australia
| | - Robert W Henning
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Jeffery L Yarger
- School of Molecular Sciences, Magnetic Resonance Research Center , Arizona State University , Tempe , Arizona 85287-1604 , United States
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10
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Toivonen MS, Kurki-Suonio S, Wagermaier W, Hynninen V, Hietala S, Ikkala O. Interfacial Polyelectrolyte Complex Spinning of Cellulose Nanofibrils for Advanced Bicomponent Fibers. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:1293-1301. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matti S. Toivonen
- Molecular
Materials, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University (previously Helsinki
University of Technology), P.O. Box 15100, FIN-00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Sauli Kurki-Suonio
- Molecular
Materials, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University (previously Helsinki
University of Technology), P.O. Box 15100, FIN-00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Wolfgang Wagermaier
- Department
of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ville Hynninen
- Molecular
Materials, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University (previously Helsinki
University of Technology), P.O. Box 15100, FIN-00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Sami Hietala
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Ikkala
- Molecular
Materials, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University (previously Helsinki
University of Technology), P.O. Box 15100, FIN-00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland
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11
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Koeppel A, Holland C. Progress and Trends in Artificial Silk Spinning: A Systematic Review. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3:226-237. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Koeppel
- Department of Materials
Science
and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Holland
- Department of Materials
Science
and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
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12
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Xie L, Xu H, Li LB, Hsiao BS, Zhong GJ, Li ZM. Biomimetic Nanofibrillation in Two-Component Biopolymer Blends with Structural Analogs to Spider Silk. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34572. [PMID: 27694989 PMCID: PMC5046138 DOI: 10.1038/srep34572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the enormous potential in bioinspired fabrication of high-strength structure by mimicking the spinning process of spider silk, currently accessible routes (e.g., microfluidic and electrospinning approaches) still have substantial function gaps in providing precision control over the nanofibrillar superstructure, crystalline morphology or molecular orientation. Here the concept of biomimetic nanofibrillation, by copying the spiders’ spinning principles, was conceived to build silk-mimicking hierarchies in two-phase biodegradable blends, strategically involving the stepwise integration of elongational shear and high-pressure shear. Phase separation confined on nanoscale, together with deformation of discrete phases and pre-alignment of polymer chains, was triggered in the elongational shear, conferring the readiness for direct nanofibrillation in the latter shearing stage. The orderly aligned nanofibrils, featuring an ultralow diameter of around 100 nm and the “rigid−soft” system crosslinked by nanocrystal domains like silk protein dopes, were secreted by fine nanochannels. The incorporation of multiscale silk-mimicking structures afforded exceptional combination of strength, ductility and toughness for the nanofibrillar polymer composites. The proposed spider spinning-mimicking strategy, offering the biomimetic function integration unattainable with current approaches, may prompt materials scientists to pursue biopolymer mimics of silk with high performance yet light weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Xie
- Department of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Materials and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Huan Xu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Liang-Bin Li
- National Synchrotron Radiation Lab, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Benjamin S Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Gan-Ji Zhong
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Zhong-Ming Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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13
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Giesa T, Perry CC, Buehler MJ. Secondary Structure Transition and Critical Stress for a Model of Spider Silk Assembly. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:427-36. [PMID: 26669270 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spiders spin their silk from an aqueous solution to a solid fiber in ambient conditions. However, to date, the assembly mechanism in the spider silk gland has not been satisfactorily explained. In this paper, we use molecular dynamics simulations to model Nephila clavipes MaSp1 dragline silk formation under shear flow and determine the secondary structure transitions leading to the experimentally observed fiber structures. While no experiments are performed on the silk fiber itself, insights from this polypeptide model can be transferred to the fiber scale. The novelty of this study lies in the calculation of the shear stress (300-700 MPa) required for fiber formation and identification of the amino acid residues involved in the transition. This is the first time that the shear stress has been quantified in connection with a secondary structure transition. By study of molecules containing varying numbers of contiguous MaSp1 repeats, we determine that the smallest molecule size giving rise to a "silk-like" structure contains six polyalanine repeats. Through a probability analysis of the secondary structure, we identify specific amino acids that transition from α-helix to β-sheet. In addition to portions of the polyalanine section, these amino acids include glycine, leucine, and glutamine. The stability of β-sheet structures appears to arise from a close proximity in space of helices in the initial spidroin state. Our results are in agreement with the forces exerted by spiders in the silking process and the experimentally determined global secondary structure of spidroin and pulled MaSp1 silk. Our study emphasizes the role of shear in the assembly process of silk and can guide the design of microfluidic devices that attempt to mimic the natural spinning process and predict molecular requirements for the next generation of silk-based functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Giesa
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Carole C Perry
- Biomolecular and Materials Interface Research Group, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University , Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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14
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Chen C, Yao T, Tu S, Xu W, Han Y, Zhou P. In situ microscopic studies on the structures and phase behaviors of SF/PEG films using solid-state NMR and Raman imaging. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:16353-60. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp03314h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
SF was incompatible with PEG in some extent, and the phase separation took place in their blend film. The conformation of SF in the interface between SF and PEG was changed to the β-sheet, while that in the protein-rich domain remained in the random coil and/or helix conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- P. R. China
| | - Ting Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- P. R. China
| | - Sidong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- P. R. China
| | - Weijie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- P. R. China
| | - Yi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- P. R. China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- P. R. China
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15
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Fernández-d'Arlas B, Eceiza A. Structure-property relationship in high urethane density polyurethanes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Borja Fernández-d'Arlas
- Grupo “Materiales+Tecnologías” (GMT), Escuela Politécnica de Donostia-San Sebastián, Departamento de Ingeniería Química y del Medio Ambiente; Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Pza Europa 1; Donostia-San Sebastián 20018 Spain
| | - Arantxa Eceiza
- Grupo “Materiales+Tecnologías” (GMT), Escuela Politécnica de Donostia-San Sebastián, Departamento de Ingeniería Química y del Medio Ambiente; Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU), Pza Europa 1; Donostia-San Sebastián 20018 Spain
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16
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Ebrahimi D, Tokareva O, Rim NG, Wong JY, Kaplan DL, Buehler MJ. Silk-Its Mysteries, How It Is Made, and How It Is Used. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2015; 1:864-876. [PMID: 27398402 PMCID: PMC4936833 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5b00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This article reviews fundamental and applied aspects of silk-one of Nature's most intriguing materials in terms of its strength, toughness, and biological role-in its various forms, from protein molecules to webs and cocoons, in the context of mechanical and biological properties. A central question that will be explored is how the bridging of scales and the emergence of hierarchical structures are critical elements in achieving novel material properties, and how this knowledge can be explored in the design of synthetic materials. We review how the function of a material system at the macroscale can be derived from the interplay of fundamental molecular building blocks. Moreover, guidelines and approaches to current experimental and computational designs in the field of synthetic silklike materials are provided to assist the materials science community in engineering customized finetuned biomaterials for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davoud Ebrahimi
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Olena Tokareva
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Nae Gyune Rim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Joyce Y. Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Markus J. Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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17
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To spin or not to spin: spider silk fibers and more. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:9361-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6948-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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18
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Huot A, Lefèvre T, Rioux-Dubé JF, Paquet-Mercier F, Nault AP, Auger M, Pézolet M. Effect of mechanical deformation on the structure of regenerated Bombyx mori silk fibroin films as revealed using Raman and infrared spectroscopy. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY 2015; 69:689-698. [PMID: 25954973 DOI: 10.1366/14-07776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the effect of mechanical stress during the spinning of silk, the protein orientation and conformation of Bombyx mori regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) films have been studied as a function of deformation in a static mode or in real time by tensile-Raman experiments and polarization modulation infrared linear dichroism (PM-IRLD), respectively. The data show that either for step-by-step or continuous stretching, elongation induces the progressive formation of β-sheets that align along the drawing axis, in particular above a draw ratio of ~2. The formation of β-sheets begins before their alignment during a continuous drawing. Unordered chains were, however, never found to be oriented, which explains the very low level of orientation of the amorphous phase of the natural fiber. Stress-perturbed unordered chains readily convert into β-sheets, the strain-induced transformation following a two-state process. The final level of orientation and β-sheet content are lower than those found in the native fiber, indicating that various parameters have to be optimized in order to implement a spinning process as efficient as the natural one. Finally, during the stress relaxation period in a step-by-step drawing, there is essentially no change of the content and orientation of the β-sheets, suggesting that only unordered structures tend to reorganize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandrine Huot
- Department of Chemistry, Centre de recherche sur les matériaux avancés, Centre québécois sur les matériaux fonctionnels, Regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l'ingénierie des protéines, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6
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19
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Blamires SJ, Liao CP, Chang CK, Chuang YC, Wu CL, Blackledge TA, Sheu HS, Tso IM. Mechanical Performance of Spider Silk Is Robust to Nutrient-Mediated Changes in Protein Composition. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:1218-25. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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
| | - Chen-Pan Liao
- Department
of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Kai Chang
- National Synchrotron
Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 3000, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Chuang
- National Synchrotron
Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 3000, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lin Wu
- Center
for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 30011, Taiwan
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Department
of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Hwo-Shuenn Sheu
- National Synchrotron
Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 3000, Taiwan
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department
of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
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20
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Designing with protocells: applications of a novel technical platform. Life (Basel) 2014; 4:457-90. [PMID: 25370381 PMCID: PMC4206855 DOI: 10.3390/life4030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper offers a design perspective on protocell applications and presents original research that characterizes the life-like qualities of the Bütschli dynamic droplet system, as a particular “species” of protocell. Specific focus is given to the possibility of protocell species becoming a technical platform for designing and engineering life-like solutions to address design challenges. An alternative framing of the protocell, based on process philosophy, sheds light on its capabilities as a technology that can deal with probability and whose ontology is consistent with complexity, nonlinear dynamics and the flow of energy and matter. However, the proposed technical systems do not yet formally exist as products or mature technologies. Their potential applications are therefore experimentally examined within a design context as architectural “projects”—an established way of considering proposals that have not yet been realized, like an extended hypothesis. Exemplary design-led projects are introduced, such as The Hylozoic Ground and Future Venice, which aim to “discover”, rather than “solve”, challenges to examine a set of possibilities that have not yet been resolved. The value of such exploration in design practice is in opening up a set of potential directions for further assessment before complex challenges are procedurally implemented.
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21
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Silk protein aggregation kinetics revealed by Rheo-IR. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:776-84. [PMID: 24200713 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable mechanical properties of silk fibres stem from a multi-scale hierarchical structure created when an aqueous protein "melt" is converted to an insoluble solid via flow. To directly relate a silk protein's structure and function in response to flow, we present the first application of a Rheo-IR platform, which couples cone and plate rheology with attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. This technique provides a new window into silk processing by linking shear thinning to an increase in molecular alignment, with shear thickening affecting changes in the silk protein's secondary structure. Additionally, compared to other static characterization methods for silk, Rheo-IR proved particularly useful at revealing the intrinsic difference between natural (native) and reconstituted silk feedstocks. Hence Rheo-IR offers important novel insights into natural silk processing. This has intrinsic academic merit, but it might also be useful when designing reconstituted silk analogues alongside other polymeric systems, whether natural or synthetic.
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22
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Fernández-d'Arlas B, Corcuera M, Runt J, Eceiza A. Block architecture influence on the structure and mechanical performance of drawn polyurethane elastomers. POLYM INT 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.4669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Borja Fernández-d'Arlas
- Grupo ‘Materiales + Tecnologías’ (GMT), Departamento de Ingeniería Química y del Medio Ambiente, Escuela Politécnica; Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU); Pza. Europa 1 20018 Donostia − San Sebastián Spain
| | - Marian Corcuera
- Grupo ‘Materiales + Tecnologías’ (GMT), Departamento de Ingeniería Química y del Medio Ambiente, Escuela Politécnica; Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU); Pza. Europa 1 20018 Donostia − San Sebastián Spain
| | - James Runt
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Pennsylvania State University; University Park PA 16802 USA
| | - Arantxa Eceiza
- Grupo ‘Materiales + Tecnologías’ (GMT), Departamento de Ingeniería Química y del Medio Ambiente, Escuela Politécnica; Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU); Pza. Europa 1 20018 Donostia − San Sebastián Spain
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23
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24
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Yu Q, Xu S, Zhang H, Gu L, Xu Y, Ko F. Structure-property relationship of regenerated spider silk protein nano/microfibrous scaffold fabricated by electrospinning. J Biomed Mater Res A 2013; 102:3828-37. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiaozhen Yu
- College of Materials and Textile Engineering, Zhejiang Experimental Center of Materials and Textile Engineering, Jiaxing University; Jiaxing Zhejiang 314001 People's Republic of China
| | - Shuiling Xu
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing Key Lab of Medical Molecular Biology, Jiaxing University; Jiaxing Zhejiang 314001 People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhang
- The first Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College; Chengdu Sicuan 610500 People's Republic of China
| | - Li Gu
- College of Materials and Textile Engineering, Zhejiang Experimental Center of Materials and Textile Engineering, Jiaxing University; Jiaxing Zhejiang 314001 People's Republic of China
| | - Yepei Xu
- College of Materials and Textile Engineering, Zhejiang Experimental Center of Materials and Textile Engineering, Jiaxing University; Jiaxing Zhejiang 314001 People's Republic of China
| | - Frank Ko
- Department of Materials Engineering; The University of British Columbia; Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z4 Canada
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25
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Adrianos SL, Teulé F, Hinman MB, Jones JA, Weber WS, Yarger JL, Lewis RV. Nephila clavipes Flagelliform silk-like GGX motifs contribute to extensibility and spacer motifs contribute to strength in synthetic spider silk fibers. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:1751-60. [PMID: 23646825 DOI: 10.1021/bm400125w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Flagelliform spider silk is the most extensible silk fiber produced by orb weaver spiders, though not as strong as the dragline silk of the spider. The motifs found in the core of the Nephila clavipes flagelliform Flag protein are GGX, spacer, and GPGGX. Flag does not contain the polyalanine motif known to provide the strength of dragline silk. To investigate the source of flagelliform fiber strength, four recombinant proteins were produced containing variations of the three core motifs of the Nephila clavipes flagelliform Flag protein that produces this type of fiber. The as-spun fibers were processed in 80% aqueous isopropanol using a standardized process for all four fiber types, which produced improved mechanical properties. Mechanical testing of the recombinant proteins determined that the GGX motif contributes extensibility and the spacer motif contributes strength to the recombinant fibers. Recombinant protein fibers containing the spacer motif were stronger than the proteins constructed without the spacer that contained only the GGX motif or the combination of the GGX and GPGGX motifs. The mechanical and structural X-ray diffraction analysis of the recombinant fibers provide data that suggests a functional role of the spacer motif that produces tensile strength, though the spacer motif is not clearly defined structurally. These results indicate that the spacer is likely a primary contributor of strength, with the GGX motif supplying mobility to the protein network of native N. clavipes flagelliform silk fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherry L Adrianos
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States.
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26
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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: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [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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27
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Sequential origin in the high performance properties of orb spider dragline silk. Sci Rep 2012; 2:782. [PMID: 23110251 PMCID: PMC3482764 DOI: 10.1038/srep00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major ampullate (MA) dragline silk supports spider orb webs, combining strength and extensibility in the toughest biomaterial. MA silk evolved ~376 MYA and identifying how evolutionary changes in proteins influenced silk mechanics is crucial for biomimetics, but is hindered by high spinning plasticity. We use supercontraction to remove that variation and characterize MA silk across the spider phylogeny. We show that mechanical performance is conserved within, but divergent among, major lineages, evolving in correlation with discrete changes in proteins. Early MA silk tensile strength improved rapidly with the origin of GGX amino acid motifs and increased repetitiveness. Tensile strength then maximized in basal entelegyne spiders, ~230 MYA. Toughness subsequently improved through increased extensibility within orb spiders, coupled with the origin of a novel protein (MaSp2). Key changes in MA silk proteins therefore correlate with the sequential evolution high performance orb spider silk and could aid design of biomimetic fibers.
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28
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Studart AR. Towards high-performance bioinspired composites. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2012; 24:5024-44. [PMID: 22791358 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201201471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Revised: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Biological composites have evolved elaborate hierarchical structures to achieve outstanding mechanical properties using weak but readily available building blocks. Combining the underlying design principles of such biological materials with the rich chemistry accessible in synthetic systems may enable the creation of artificial composites with unprecedented properties and functionalities. This bioinspired approach requires identification, understanding, and quantification of natural design principles and their replication in synthetic materials, taking into account the intrinsic properties of the stronger artificial building blocks and the boundary conditions of engineering applications. In this progress report, the scientific and technological questions that have to be addressed to achieve this goal are highlighted, and examples of recent research efforts to tackle them are presented. These include the local characterization of the heterogeneous architecture of biological materials, the investigation of structure-function relationships to help unveil natural design principles, and the development of synthetic processing routes that can potentially be used to implement some of these principles in synthetic materials. The importance of replicating the design principles of biological materials rather than their structure per se is highlighted, and possible directions for further progress in this fascinating, interdisciplinary field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- André R Studart
- Complex Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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29
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Li G, Meng H, Hu J. Healable thermoset polymer composite embedded with stimuli-responsive fibres. J R Soc Interface 2012; 9:3279-87. [PMID: 22896563 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2012.0409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe wounds in biological systems such as human skin cannot heal themselves, unless they are first stitched together. Healing of macroscopic damage in thermoset polymer composites faces a similar challenge. Stimuli-responsive shape-changing polymeric fibres with outstanding mechanical properties embedded in polymers may be able to close macro-cracks automatically upon stimulation such as heating. Here, a stimuli-responsive fibre (SRF) with outstanding mechanical properties and supercontraction capability was fabricated for the purpose of healing macroscopic damage. The SRFs and thermoplastic particles (TPs) were incorporated into regular thermosetting epoxy for repeatedly healing macroscopic damages. The system works by mimicking self-healing of biological systems such as human skin, close (stitch) then heal, i.e. close the macroscopic crack through the thermal-induced supercontraction of the SRFs, and bond the closed crack through melting and diffusing of TPs at the crack interface. The healing efficiency determined using tapered double-cantilever beam specimens was 94 per cent. The self-healing process was reasonably repeatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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30
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Guinea GV, Elices M, Plaza GR, Perea GB, Daza R, Riekel C, Agulló-Rueda F, Hayashi C, Zhao Y, Pérez-Rigueiro J. Minor ampullate silks from Nephila and Argiope spiders: tensile properties and microstructural characterization. Biomacromolecules 2012; 13:2087-98. [PMID: 22668322 DOI: 10.1021/bm3004644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The mechanical behavior and microstructure of minor ampullate gland silk (miS) of two orb-web spinning species, Argiope trifasciata and Nephila inaurata, were extensively characterized, enabling detailed comparison with other silks. The similarities and differences exhibited by miS when compared with the intensively studied major ampullate gland silk (MAS) and silkworm (Bombyx mori) silk offer a genuine opportunity for testing some of the hypotheses proposed to correlate microstructure and tensile properties in silk. In this work, we show that miSs of different species show similar properties, even when fibers spun by spiders that diverged over 100 million years are compared. The tensile properties of miS are comparable to those of MAS when tested in air, significantly in terms of work to fracture, but differ considerably when tested in water. In particular, miS does not show a supercontraction effect and an associated ground state. In this regard, the behavior of miS in water is similar to that of B. mori silk, and it is shown that the initial elastic modulus of both fibers can be explained using a common model. Intriguingly, the microstructural parameters measured in miS are comparable to those of MAS and considerably different from those found in B. mori. This fact suggests that some critical microstructural information is still missing in our description of silks, and our results suggest that the hydrophilicity of the lateral groups or the large scale organization of the sequences might be routes worth exploring.
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Affiliation(s)
- G V Guinea
- Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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31
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Zhang C, Song D, Lu Q, Hu X, Kaplan DL, Zhu H. Flexibility regeneration of silk fibroin in vitro. Biomacromolecules 2012; 13:2148-53. [PMID: 22632113 DOI: 10.1021/bm300541g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Although natural silk fibers have excellent strength and flexibility, the regenerated silk materials generally become brittle in the dry state. How to reconstruct the flexibility for silk fibroin has bewildered scientists for many years. In the present study, the flexible regenerated silk fibroin films were achieved by simulating the natural forming and spinning process. Silk fibroin films composed of silk I structure were first prepared by slow drying process. Then, the silk fibroin films were stretched in the wet state, following the structural transition from silk I to silk II. The difference between the flexible film and different brittle regenerated films was investigated to reveal the critical factors in regulating the flexibility of regenerated silk materials. Compared with the methanol-treated silk films, although having similar silk II structure and water content, the flexible silk films contained more bound water rather than free water, implying the great influence of bound water on the flexibility. Then, further studies revealed that the distribution of bound water was also a critical factor in improving silk flexibility in the dry state, which could be regulated by the nanoassembly of silk fibroin. Importantly, the results further elucidate the relation between mechanical properties and silk fibroin structures, pointing to a new mode of generating new types of silk materials with enhanced mechanical properties in the dry state, which would facilitate the fabrication and application of regenerated silk fibroin materials in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cencen Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
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32
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Espinosa HD, Filleter T, Naraghi M. Multiscale experimental mechanics of hierarchical carbon-based materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2012; 24:2805-2823. [PMID: 22576263 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201104850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Investigation of the mechanics of natural materials, such as spider silk, abalone shells, and bone, has provided great insight into the design of materials that can simultaneously achieve high specific strength and toughness. Research has shown that their emergent mechanical properties are owed in part to their specific self-organization in hierarchical molecular structures, from nanoscale to macroscale, as well as their mixing and bonding. To apply these findings to manmade materials, researchers have devoted significant efforts in developing a fundamental understanding of multiscale mechanics of materials and its application to the design of novel materials with superior mechanical performance. These efforts included the utilization of some of the most promising carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and graphene, together with a variety of matrix materials. At the core of these efforts lies the need to characterize material mechanical behavior across multiple length scales starting from nanoscale characterization of constituents and their interactions to emerging micro- and macroscale properties. In this report, progress made in experimental tools and methods currently used for material characterization across multiple length scales is reviewed, as well as a discussion of how they have impacted our current understanding of the mechanics of hierarchical carbon-based materials. In addition, insight is provided into strategies for bridging experiments across length scales, which are essential in establishing a multiscale characterization approach. While the focus of this progress report is in experimental methods, their concerted use with theoretical-computational approaches towards the establishment of a robust material by design methodology is also discussed, which can pave the way for the development of novel materials possessing unprecedented mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horacio D Espinosa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3111, USA.
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33
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Teulé F, Addison B, Cooper AR, Ayon J, Henning RW, Benmore CJ, Holland GP, Yarger JL, Lewis RV. Combining flagelliform and dragline spider silk motifs to produce tunable synthetic biopolymer fibers. Biopolymers 2012; 97:418-31. [PMID: 22012252 PMCID: PMC3372544 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The two Flag/MaSp 2 silk proteins produced recombinantly were based on the basic consensus repeat of the dragline silk spidroin 2 protein (MaSp 2) from the Nephila clavipes orb weaving spider. However, the proline-containing pentapeptides juxtaposed to the polyalanine segments resembled those found in the flagelliform silk protein (Flag) composing the web spiral: (GPGGX(1) GPGGX(2))(2) with X(1) /X(2) = A/A or Y/S. Fibers were formed from protein films in aqueous solutions or extruded from resolubilized protein dopes in organic conditions when the Flag motif was (GPGGX(1) GPGGX(2))(2) with X(1) /X(2) = Y/S or A/A, respectively. Post-fiber processing involved similar drawing ratios (2-2.5×) before or after water-treatment. Structural (ssNMR and XRD) and morphological (SEM) changes in the fibers were compared to the mechanical properties of the fibers at each step. Nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that the fraction of β-sheet nanocrystals in the polyalanine regions formed upon extrusion, increased during stretching, and was maximized after water-treatment. X-ray diffraction showed that nanocrystallite orientation parallel to the fiber axis increased the ultimate strength and initial stiffness of the fibers. Water furthered nanocrystal orientation and three-dimensional growth while plasticizing the amorphous regions, thus producing tougher fibers due to increased extensibility. These fibers were highly hygroscopic and had similar internal network organization, thus similar range of mechanical properties that depended on their diameters. The overall structure of the consensus repeat of the silk-like protein dictated the mechanical properties of the fibers while protein molecular weight limited these same properties. Subtle structural motif re-design impacted protein self-assembly mechanisms and requirements for fiber formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Teulé
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5305, USA.
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34
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Blamires SJ, Wu CL, Blackledge TA, Tso IM. Post-secretion processing influences spider silk performance. J R Soc Interface 2012; 9:2479-87. [PMID: 22628213 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2012.0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic variation facilitates adaptations to novel environments. Silk is an example of a highly variable biomaterial. The two-spidroin (MaSp) model suggests that spider major ampullate (MA) silk is composed of two proteins-MaSp1 predominately contains alanine and glycine and forms strength enhancing β-sheet crystals, while MaSp2 contains proline and forms elastic spirals. Nonetheless, mechanical properties can vary in spider silks without congruent amino acid compositional changes. We predicted that post-secretion processing causes variation in the mechanical performance of wild MA silk independent of protein composition or spinning speed across 10 species of spider. We used supercontraction to remove post-secretion effects and compared the mechanics of silk in this 'ground state' with wild native silks. Native silk mechanics varied less among species compared with 'ground state' silks. Variability in the mechanics of 'ground state' silks was associated with proline composition. However, variability in native silks did not. We attribute interspecific similarities in the mechanical properties of native silks, regardless of amino acid compositions, to glandular processes altering molecular alignment of the proteins prior to extrusion. Such post-secretion processing may enable MA silk to maintain functionality across environments, facilitating its function as a component of an insect-catching web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J Blamires
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
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Fernández-d’Arlas B, Ramos JA, Saralegi A, Corcuera M, Mondragon I, Eceiza A. Molecular Engineering of Elastic and Strong Supertough Polyurethanes. Macromolecules 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/ma300397e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Borja Fernández-d’Arlas
- Grupo “Materiales + Tecnologías”
(GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic
School, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Pza. Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Jose A. Ramos
- Grupo “Materiales + Tecnologías”
(GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic
School, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Pza. Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ainara Saralegi
- Grupo “Materiales + Tecnologías”
(GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic
School, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Pza. Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marian Corcuera
- Grupo “Materiales + Tecnologías”
(GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic
School, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Pza. Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Iñaki Mondragon
- Grupo “Materiales + Tecnologías”
(GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic
School, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Pza. Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Arantxa Eceiza
- Grupo “Materiales + Tecnologías”
(GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic
School, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Pza. Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Keerl D, Scheibel T. Characterization of natural and biomimetic spider silk fibers. BIOINSPIRED BIOMIMETIC AND NANOBIOMATERIALS 2012. [DOI: 10.1680/bbn.11.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Plaza GR, Corsini P, Marsano E, Pérez-Rigueiro J, Elices M, Riekel C, Vendrely C, Guinea GV. Correlation between processing conditions, microstructure and mechanical behavior in regenerated silkworm silk fibers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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