1
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Sonavane S, Westermark P, Rising A, Holm L. Regionalization of cell types in silk glands of Larinioides sclopetarius suggest that spider silk fibers are complex layered structures. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22273. [PMID: 38097700 PMCID: PMC10721825 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49587-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to produce artificial silk fibers with properties that match the native spider silk we likely need to closely mimic the spinning process as well as fiber architecture and composition. To increase our understanding of the structure and function of the different silk glands of the orb weaver Larinioides sclopetarius, we used resin sections for detailed morphology, paraffin embedded sections for a variety of different histological stainings, and a histochemical method for localization of carbonic anhydrase activity. Our results show that all silk glands, except the tubuliform glands, are composed of two or more columnar epithelial cell types, some of which have not been described previously. We observed distinct regionalization of the cell types indicating sequential addition of secretory products during silk formation. This means that the major ampullate, minor ampullate, aciniform type II, and piriform silk fibers most likely are layered and that each layer has a specific composition. Furthermore, a substance that stains positive for polysaccharides may be added to the silk in all glands except in the type I aciniform glands. Active carbonic anhydrase was found in all silk glands and/or ducts except in the type I aciniform and tubuliform glands, with the strongest staining in aggregate glands and their ductal nodules. Carbonic anhydrase plays an important role in the generation of a pH gradient in the major ampullate glands, and our results suggest that some other glands may also harbor pH gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumalata Sonavane
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Westermark
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lena Holm
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
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2
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Rat C, Heindl C, Neuweiler H. Domain swap facilitates structural transitions of spider silk protein C-terminal domains. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4783. [PMID: 37712205 PMCID: PMC10578117 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4783] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Domain swap is a mechanism of protein dimerization where the two interacting domains exchange parts of their structure. Web spiders make use of the process in the connection of C-terminal domains (CTDs) of spidroins, the soluble protein building blocks that form tough silk fibers. Besides providing connectivity and solubility, spidroin CTDs are responsible for inducing structural transitions during passage through an acidified assembly zone within spinning ducts. The underlying molecular mechanisms are elusive. Here, we studied the folding of five homologous spidroin CTDs from different spider species or glands. Four of these are domain-swapped dimers formed by five-helix bundles from spidroins of major and minor ampullate glands. The fifth is a dimer that lacks domain swap, formed by four-helix bundles from a spidroin of a flagelliform gland. Spidroins from this gland do not undergo structural transitions whereas the others do. We found a three-state mechanism of folding and dimerization that was conserved across homologues. In chemical denaturation experiments the native CTD dimer unfolded to a dimeric, partially structured intermediate, followed by full unfolding to denatured monomers. The energetics of the individual folding steps varied between homologues. Contrary to the common belief that domain swap stabilizes protein assemblies, the non-swapped homologue was most stable and folded four orders of magnitude faster than a swapped variant. Domain swap of spidroin CTDs induces an entropic penalty to the folding of peripheral helices, thus unfastening them for acid-induced unfolding within a spinning duct, which primes them for refolding into alternative structures during silk formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Rat
- Department of Biotechnology & BiophysicsJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Cedric Heindl
- Department of Biotechnology & BiophysicsJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Hannes Neuweiler
- Department of Biotechnology & BiophysicsJulius‐Maximilians‐University WürzburgWürzburgGermany
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3
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Zhao W, Shao F, Sun F, Su Z, Liu S, Zhang T, Zhu M, Liu Z, Zhou X. Neuron-Inspired Sticky Artificial Spider Silk for Signal Transmission. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2300876. [PMID: 37327808 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Neurons exhibit excellent signal transmission capacity, which inspire artificial neuron materials for applications in the field of wearable electronics and soft robotics. In addition, the neuron fibers exhibit good mechanical robustness by sticking to the organs, which currently has rarely been studied. Here, a sticky artificial spider silk is developed by employing a proton donor-acceptor (PrDA) hydrogel fiber for application as artificial neuron fibers. Tuning the molecular electrostatic interactions by modulating the sequences of proton donors and acceptors, enables combination of excellent mechanical properties, stickiness, and ion conductivity. In addition, the PrDA hydrogel exhibits high spinning capacity for a wide range of donor-acceptor combinations. The PrDA artificial spider silk would shed light on the design of new generation of artificial neuron materials, bio-electrodes, and artificial synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Fei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Fuqin Sun
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 398 Ruoshui Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Zihao Su
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Shiyong Liu
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- i-Lab, Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 398 Ruoshui Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Meifang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Zunfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
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4
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Oktaviani NA, Malay AD, Matsugami A, Hayashi F, Numata K. Unusual p Ka Values Mediate the Self-Assembly of Spider Dragline Silk Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1604-1616. [PMID: 36990448 PMCID: PMC10091414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Spider dragline silk is a remarkably tough biomaterial and composed primarily of spidroins MaSp1 and MaSp2. During fiber self-assembly, the spidroin N-terminal domains (NTDs) undergo rapid dimerization in response to a pH gradient. However, obtaining a detailed understanding of this mechanism has been hampered by a lack of direct evidence regarding the protonation states of key ionic residues. Here, we elucidated the solution structures of MaSp1 and MaSp2 NTDs from Trichonephila clavipes and determined the experimental pKa values of conserved residues involved in dimerization using NMR. Surprisingly, we found that the Asp40 located on an acidic cluster protonates at an unusually high pH (∼6.5-7.1), suggesting the first step in the pH response. Then, protonation of Glu119 and Glu79 follows, with pKas above their intrinsic values, contributing toward stable dimer formation. We propose that exploiting the atypical pKa values is a strategy to achieve tight spatiotemporal control of spider silk self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Alia Oktaviani
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for the Sustainable Resource Sciences, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ali D Malay
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for the Sustainable Resource Sciences, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Akimasa Matsugami
- Advanced NMR Application and Platform Team, NMR Research and Collaboration Group, NMR Science and Development Division, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Hayashi
- Advanced NMR Application and Platform Team, NMR Research and Collaboration Group, NMR Science and Development Division, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for the Sustainable Resource Sciences, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Material Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Bioscience, Keio University, 403-1 Nihonkoku, Daihouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
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5
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De Oliveira DH, Biler M, Mim C, Enstedt L, Kvick M, Norman P, Linares M, Hedhammar M. Silk Assembly against Hydrophobic Surfaces─Modeling and Imaging of Formation of Nanofibrils. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:1011-1018. [PMID: 36791416 PMCID: PMC10031558 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00878] [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] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
A detailed insight about the molecular organization behind spider silk assembly is valuable for the decoding of the unique properties of silk. The recombinant partial spider silk protein 4RepCT contains four poly-alanine/glycine-rich repeats followed by an amphiphilic C-terminal domain and has shown the capacity to self-assemble into fibrils on hydrophobic surfaces. We herein use molecular dynamic simulations to address the structure of 4RepCT and its different parts on hydrophobic versus hydrophilic surfaces. When 4RepCT is placed in a wing arrangement model and periodically repeated on a hydrophobic surface, β-sheet structures of the poly-alanine repeats are preserved, while the CT part is settled on top, presenting a fibril with a height of ∼7 nm and a width of ∼11 nm. Both atomic force microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy imaging support this model as a possible fibril formation on hydrophobic surfaces. These results contribute to the understanding of silk assembly and alignment mechanism onto hydrophobic surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Hirabae De Oliveira
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michal Biler
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carsten Mim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, Royal Technical Institute (KTH), Hälsovägen 11C, SE-141 27 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Linnea Enstedt
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Patrick Norman
- Division of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathieu Linares
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Scientific Visualization Group, ITN, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - My Hedhammar
- Department of Protein Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Liu C, Song Y, Hu T, Wang S, Yi K, Wang J, Yan Q, Wei L, Zhang Z, Li H, Luo Y, Wu L, Zhang D, Meng E. Adenylate Kinase Fused to Spidroin as a Catalyst for Decreasing Leakage out of 3D-Bioprinted Hydrogels and for ATP Regeneration. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1662-1674. [PMID: 36913719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Numerous metabolic reactions and pathways use adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source and as a phosphorous or pyrophosphorous donor. Based on three-dimensional (3D)-printing, enzyme immobilization can be used to improve ATP regeneration and operability and reduce cost. However, due to the relatively large mesh size of 3D-bioprinted hydrogels soaked in a reaction solution, the lower-molecular-weight enzymes cannot avoid leaking out of the hydrogels readily. Here, a chimeric adenylate-kinase-spidroin (ADK-RC) is created, with ADK serving as the N-terminal domain. The chimera is capable of self-assembling to form micellar nanoparticles at a higher molecular scale. Although fused to spidroin (RC), ADK-RC remains relatively consistent and exhibits high activity, thermostability, pH stability, and organic solvent tolerance. Considering different surface-to-volume ratios, three shapes of enzyme hydrogels are designed, 3D bioprinted, and measured. In addition, a continuous enzymatic reaction demonstrates that ADK-RC hydrogels have higher specific activity and substrate affinity but a lower reaction rate and catalytic power compared to free enzymes in solution. With ATP regeneration, the ADK and ADK-RC hydrogels significantly increase the production of d-glucose-6-phosphate and obtain an efficient usage frequency. In conclusion, enzymes fused to spidroin might be an efficient strategy for maintaining activity and reducing leakage in 3D-bioprinted hydrogels under mild conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjun Liu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Yanmin Song
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Tianhao Hu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Shan Wang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Ke Yi
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Jianjie Wang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Qing Yan
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Li'an Wei
- Changsha Sanjiang Smart Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha 410026, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Zheyang Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Huimin Li
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Yutao Luo
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Dongyi Zhang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Er Meng
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Multiple Utilization of Economic Crops in Hunan Province, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, Hunan, P. R. China
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7
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Miserez A, Yu J, Mohammadi P. Protein-Based Biological Materials: Molecular Design and Artificial Production. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2049-2111. [PMID: 36692900 PMCID: PMC9999432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric materials produced from fossil fuels have been intimately linked to the development of industrial activities in the 20th century and, consequently, to the transformation of our way of living. While this has brought many benefits, the fabrication and disposal of these materials is bringing enormous sustainable challenges. Thus, materials that are produced in a more sustainable fashion and whose degradation products are harmless to the environment are urgently needed. Natural biopolymers─which can compete with and sometimes surpass the performance of synthetic polymers─provide a great source of inspiration. They are made of natural chemicals, under benign environmental conditions, and their degradation products are harmless. Before these materials can be synthetically replicated, it is essential to elucidate their chemical design and biofabrication. For protein-based materials, this means obtaining the complete sequences of the proteinaceous building blocks, a task that historically took decades of research. Thus, we start this review with a historical perspective on early efforts to obtain the primary sequences of load-bearing proteins, followed by the latest developments in sequencing and proteomic technologies that have greatly accelerated sequencing of extracellular proteins. Next, four main classes of protein materials are presented, namely fibrous materials, bioelastomers exhibiting high reversible deformability, hard bulk materials, and biological adhesives. In each class, we focus on the design at the primary and secondary structure levels and discuss their interplays with the mechanical response. We finally discuss earlier and the latest research to artificially produce protein-based materials using biotechnology and synthetic biology, including current developments by start-up companies to scale-up the production of proteinaceous materials in an economically viable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Miserez
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore637553.,School of Biological Sciences, NTU, Singapore637551
| | - Jing Yu
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore637553.,Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), NTU, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore637553
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, UusimaaFI-02044, Finland
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8
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Rising A, Harrington MJ. Biological Materials Processing: Time-Tested Tricks for Sustainable Fiber Fabrication. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2155-2199. [PMID: 36508546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to improve the sustainability of the materials we produce and use. Here, we explore what humans can learn from nature about how to sustainably fabricate polymeric fibers with excellent material properties by reviewing the physical and chemical aspects of materials processing distilled from diverse model systems, including spider silk, mussel byssus, velvet worm slime, hagfish slime, and mistletoe viscin. We identify common and divergent strategies, highlighting the potential for bioinspired design and technology transfer. Despite the diversity of the biopolymeric fibers surveyed, we identify several common strategies across multiple systems, including: (1) use of stimuli-responsive biomolecular building blocks, (2) use of concentrated fluid precursor phases (e.g., coacervates and liquid crystals) stored under controlled chemical conditions, and (3) use of chemical (pH, salt concentration, redox chemistry) and physical (mechanical shear, extensional flow) stimuli to trigger the transition from fluid precursor to solid material. Importantly, because these materials largely form and function outside of the body of the organisms, these principles can more easily be transferred for bioinspired design in synthetic systems. We end the review by discussing ongoing efforts and challenges to mimic biological model systems, with a particular focus on artificial spider silks and mussel-inspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 141 52, Sweden.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 750 07, Sweden
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9
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Connor A, Wigham C, Bai Y, Rai M, Nassif S, Koffas M, Zha RH. Novel insights into construct toxicity, strain optimization, and primary sequence design for producing recombinant silk fibroin and elastin-like peptide in E. coli. Metab Eng Commun 2023; 16:e00219. [PMID: 36825067 PMCID: PMC9941211 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2023.e00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Spider silk proteins (spidroins) are a remarkable class of biomaterials that exhibit a unique combination of high-value attributes and can be processed into numerous morphologies for targeted applications in diverse fields. Recombinant production of spidroins represents the most promising route towards establishing the industrial production of the material, however, recombinant spider silk production suffers from fundamental difficulties that includes low titers, plasmid instability, and translational inefficiencies. In this work, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of upstream bottlenecks that exist in the field through the production of a panel of systematically varied spidroin sequences in multiple E. coli strains. A restriction on basal expression and specific genetic mutations related to stress responses were identified as primary factors that facilitated higher titers of the recombinant silk constructs. Using these findings, a novel strain of E. coli was created that produces recombinant silk constructs at levels 4-33 times higher than standard BL21(DE3). However, these findings did not extend to a similar recombinant protein, an elastin-like peptide. It was found that the recombinant silk proteins, but not the elastin-like peptide, exert toxicity on the E. coli host system, possibly through their high degree of intrinsic disorder. Along with strain engineering, a bioprocess design that utilizes longer culturing times and attenuated induction was found to raise recombinant silk titers by seven-fold and mitigate toxicity. Targeted alteration to the primary sequence of the recombinant silk constructs was also found to mitigate toxicity. These findings identify multiple points of focus for future work seeking to further optimize the recombinant production of silk proteins and is the first work to identify the intrinsic disorder and subsequent toxicity of certain spidroin constructs as a primary factor related to the difficulties of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Connor
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Caleb Wigham
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Yang Bai
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Manish Rai
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Sebastian Nassif
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | - Mattheos Koffas
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| | - R. Helen Zha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
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10
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Eliaz D, Paul S, Benyamin D, Cernescu A, Cohen SR, Rosenhek-Goldian I, Brookstein O, Miali ME, Solomonov A, Greenblatt M, Levy Y, Raviv U, Barth A, Shimanovich U. Micro and nano-scale compartments guide the structural transition of silk protein monomers into silk fibers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7856. [PMID: 36543800 PMCID: PMC9772184 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35505-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Silk is a unique, remarkably strong biomaterial made of simple protein building blocks. To date, no synthetic method has come close to reproducing the properties of natural silk, due to the complexity and insufficient understanding of the mechanism of the silk fiber formation. Here, we use a combination of bulk analytical techniques and nanoscale analytical methods, including nano-infrared spectroscopy coupled with atomic force microscopy, to probe the structural characteristics directly, transitions, and evolution of the associated mechanical properties of silk protein species corresponding to the supramolecular phase states inside the silkworm's silk gland. We found that the key step in silk-fiber production is the formation of nanoscale compartments that guide the structural transition of proteins from their native fold into crystalline β-sheets. Remarkably, this process is reversible. Such reversibility enables the remodeling of the final mechanical characteristics of silk materials. These results open a new route for tailoring silk processing for a wide range of new material formats by controlling the structural transitions and self-assembly of the silk protein's supramolecular phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Eliaz
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - S. Paul
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D. Benyamin
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401 Israel
| | - A. Cernescu
- grid.431971.9Neaspec—Attocube Systems AG, Eglfinger Weg 2, Haar, 85540 Munich Germany
| | - S. R. Cohen
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Re-hovot, Israel
| | - I. Rosenhek-Goldian
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Re-hovot, Israel
| | - O. Brookstein
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - M. E. Miali
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - A. Solomonov
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - M. Greenblatt
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Y. Levy
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - U. Raviv
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 9190401 Israel
| | - A. Barth
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - U. Shimanovich
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
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11
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Johari N, Khodaei A, Samadikuchaksaraei A, Reis RL, Kundu SC, Moroni L. Ancient fibrous biomaterials from silkworm protein fibroin and spider silk blends: Biomechanical patterns. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:38-67. [PMID: 36126911 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Silkworm silk protein fibroin and spider silk spidroin are known biocompatible and natural biodegradable polymers in biomedical applications. The presence of β-sheets in silk fibroin and spider spidroin conformation improves their mechanical properties. The strength and toughness of pure recombinant silkworm fibroin and spidroin are relatively low due to reduced molecular weight. Hence, blending is the foremost approach of recent studies to optimize silk fibroin and spidroin's mechanical properties. As summarised in the present review, numerous research investigations evaluate the blending of natural and synthetic polymers. The effects of blending silk fibroin and spidroin with natural and synthetic polymers on the mechanical properties are discussed in this review article. Indeed, combining natural and synthetic polymers with silk fibroin and spidroin changes their conformation and structure, fine-tuning the blends' mechanical properties. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Silkworm and spider silk proteins (silk fibroin and spidroin) are biocompatible and biodegradable natural polymers having different types of biomedical applications. Their mechanical and biological properties may be tuned through various strategies such as blending, conjugating and cross-linking. Blending is the most common method to modify fibroin and spidroin properties on demand, this review article aims to categorize and evaluate the effects of blending fibroin and spidroin with different natural and synthetic polymers. Increased polarity and hydrophilicity end to hydrogen bonding triggered conformational change in fibroin and spidroin blends. The effect of polarity and hydrophilicity of the blending compound is discussed and categorized to a combinatorial, synergistic and indirect impacts. This outlook guides us to choose the blending compounds mindfully as this mixing affects the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of the biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Johari
- Materials Engineering group, Golpayegan College of Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Golpayegan, Iran.
| | - Azin Khodaei
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ali Samadikuchaksaraei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Subhas C Kundu
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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12
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Šede M, Fridmanis J, Otikovs M, Johansson J, Rising A, Kronqvist N, Jaudzems K. Solution Structure of Tubuliform Spidroin N-Terminal Domain and Implications for pH Dependent Dimerization. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:936887. [PMID: 35775078 PMCID: PMC9237525 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.936887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The spidroin N-terminal domain (NT) is responsible for high solubility and pH-dependent assembly of spider silk proteins during storage and fiber formation, respectively. It forms a monomeric five-helix bundle at neutral pH and dimerizes at lowered pH, thereby firmly interconnecting the spidroins. Mechanistic studies with the NTs from major ampullate, minor ampullate, and flagelliform spidroins (MaSp, MiSp, and FlSp) have shown that the pH dependency is conserved between different silk types, although the residues that mediate this process can differ. Here we study the tubuliform spidroin (TuSp) NT from Argiope argentata, which lacks several well conserved residues involved in the dimerization of other NTs. We solve its structure at low pH revealing an antiparallel dimer of two five-α-helix bundles, which contrasts with a previously determined Nephila antipodiana TuSp NT monomer structure. Further, we study a set of mutants and find that the residues participating in the protonation events during dimerization are different from MaSp and MiSp NT. Charge reversal of one of these residues (R117 in TuSp) results in significantly altered electrostatic interactions between monomer subunits. Altogether, the structure and mutant studies suggest that TuSp NT monomers assemble by elimination of intramolecular repulsive charge interactions, which could lead to slight tilting of α-helices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megija Šede
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jēkabs Fridmanis
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Martins Otikovs
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
- *Correspondence: Kristaps Jaudzems,
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13
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Sarr M, Kitoka K, Walsh-White KA, Kaldmäe M, Metlāns R, Tārs K, Mantese A, Shah D, Landreh M, Rising A, Johansson J, Jaudzems K, Kronqvist N. The dimerization mechanism of the N-terminal domain of spider silk proteins is conserved despite extensive sequence divergence. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101913. [PMID: 35398358 PMCID: PMC9097459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The N-terminal (NT) domain of spider silk proteins (spidroins) is crucial for their storage at high concentrations and also regulates silk assembly. NTs from the major ampullate spidroin (MaSp) and the minor ampullate spidroin are monomeric at neutral pH and confer solubility to spidroins, whereas at lower pH, they dimerize to interconnect spidroins in a fiber. This dimerization is known to result from modulation of electrostatic interactions by protonation of well-conserved glutamates, although it is undetermined if this mechanism applies to other spidroin types as well. Here, we determine the solution and crystal structures of the flagelliform spidroin NT, which shares only 35% identity with MaSp NT, and investigate the mechanisms of its dimerization. We show that flagelliform spidroin NT is structurally similar to MaSp NT and that the electrostatic intermolecular interaction between Asp 40 and Lys 65 residues is conserved. However, the protonation events involve a different set of residues than in MaSp, indicating that an overall mechanism of pH-dependent dimerization is conserved but can be mediated by different pathways in different silk types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médoune Sarr
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristine Kitoka
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, 1006, Latvia
| | - Kellie-Ann Walsh-White
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Margit Kaldmäe
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Rimants Metlāns
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, 1006, Latvia
| | - Kaspar Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, 1067, Latvia
| | | | - Dipen Shah
- ZoBio BV, J.H. Oortweg 19, 2333CH Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, 1006, Latvia
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden.
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14
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Abstract
![]()
The tiny spider makes
dragline silk fibers with unbeatable toughness,
all under the most innocuous conditions. Scientists have persistently
tried to emulate its natural silk spinning process using recombinant
proteins with a view toward creating a new wave of smart materials,
yet most efforts have fallen short of attaining the native fiber’s
excellent mechanical properties. One reason for these shortcomings
may be that artificial spider silk systems tend to be overly simplified
and may not sufficiently take into account the true complexity of
the underlying protein sequences and of the multidimensional aspects
of the natural self-assembly process that give rise to the hierarchically
structured fibers. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the
material constituents of spider dragline silk, including novel spidroin
subtypes, nonspidroin proteins, and possible involvement of post-translational
modifications, which together suggest a complexity that transcends
the two-component MaSp1/MaSp2 system. We subsequently consider insights
into the spidroin domain functions, structures, and overall mechanisms
for the rapid transition from disordered soluble protein into a highly
organized fiber, including the possibility of viewing spider silk
self-assembly through a framework relevant to biomolecular condensates.
Finally, we consider the concept of “biomimetics” as
it applies to artificial spider silk production with a focus on key
practical aspects of design and evaluation that may hopefully inform
efforts to more closely reproduce the remarkable structure and function
of the native silk fiber using artificial methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali D Malay
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hamish C Craig
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Jianming Chen
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nur Alia Oktaviani
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
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15
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Kronqvist N, Rising A, Johansson J. A Novel Approach for the Production of Aggregation-Prone Proteins Using the Spidroin-Derived NT* Tag. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2406:113-130. [PMID: 35089553 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1859-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Spiders have evolved proteins that can be kept in a highly concentrated soluble form in the silk gland yet rapidly assemble into stable silk fibers under certain environmental conditions. The transition between soluble and fibrillar states is partly regulated by the pH-sensitive N-terminal (NT) domain which has emerged as nature's own solubility-enhancing domain. NT has an inherent capacity to keep the silk proteins' partly hydrophobic and very aggregation-prone regions from premature fibrillation in spite of storage at enormous concentrations. The genetically engineered double-mutant NT* shows increased solubility and stability and has arisen as a powerful tool for the production of aggregation-prone as well as other recombinant proteins. Here we describe a robust and highly efficient protocol for improved soluble expression of peptides and proteins by fusion to the NT* tag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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16
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Laity PR, Holland C. Seeking Solvation: Exploring the Role of Protein Hydration in Silk Gelation. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27020551. [PMID: 35056868 PMCID: PMC8781151 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism by which arthropods (e.g., spiders and many insects) can produce silk fibres from an aqueous protein (fibroin) solution has remained elusive, despite much scientific investigation. In this work, we used several techniques to explore the role of a hydration shell bound to the fibroin in native silk feedstock (NSF) from Bombyx mori silkworms. Small angle X-ray and dynamic light scattering (SAXS and DLS) revealed a coil size (radius of gyration or hydrodynamic radius) around 12 nm, providing considerable scope for hydration. Aggregation in dilute aqueous solution was observed above 65 °C, matching the gelation temperature of more concentrated solutions and suggesting that the strength of interaction with the solvent (i.e., water) was the dominant factor. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy indicated decreasing hydration as the temperature was raised, with similar changes in hydration following gelation by freezing or heating. It was found that the solubility of fibroin in water or aqueous salt solutions could be described well by a relatively simple thermodynamic model for the stability of the protein hydration shell, which suggests that the affected water is enthalpically favoured but entropically penalised, due to its reduced (vibrational or translational) dynamics. Moreover, while the majority of this investigation used fibroin from B. mori, comparisons with published work on silk proteins from other silkworms and spiders, globular proteins and peptide model systems suggest that our findings may be of much wider significance.
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17
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Li X, Qi X, Cai YM, Sun Y, Wen R, Zhang R, Johansson J, Meng Q, Chen G. Customized Flagelliform Spidroins Form Spider Silk-like Fibers at pH 8.0 with Outstanding Tensile Strength. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 8:119-127. [PMID: 34908395 PMCID: PMC8753598 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Spider flagelliform silk shows the best extensibility among various types of silk, but its biomimetic preparation has not been much studied. Herein, five customized flagelliform spidroins (FlSps: S and NTDFl-Sn-CTDFl, n = 1-4), in which the repetitive region (S) and N-/C- terminal domains (NTDFl and CTDFl) are from the same spidroin and spider species, were produced recombinantly. The recombinant spidroins with terminal domains were able to form silk-like fibers with diameters of ∼5 μm by manual pulling at pH 8.0, where the secondary structure transformation occurred. The silk-like fibers from NTDFl-S4-CTDFl showed the highest tensile strength (∼250 MPa), while those ones with 1-3 S broke at a similar stress (∼180 MPa), suggesting that increasing the amounts of the repetitive region can improve the tensile strength, but a certain threshold might need to be reached. This study shows successful preparation of flagelliform silk-like fibers with good mechanical properties, providing general insights into efficient biomimetic preparations of spider silks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultrasound Diagnosis and Treatment, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China.,Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 201620 Shanghai, China
| | - Xingmei Qi
- The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yu-Ming Cai
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ Southampton, Hampshire, U.K
| | - Yuan Sun
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 201620 Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Wen
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 201620 Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 14157 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Qing Meng
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 201620 Shanghai, China
| | - Gefei Chen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 14157 Huddinge, Sweden
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18
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Lee SO, Xie Q, Fried SD. Optimized Loopable Translation as a Platform for the Synthesis of Repetitive Proteins. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:1736-1750. [PMID: 34729417 PMCID: PMC8554844 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The expression of long proteins with repetitive amino acid sequences often presents a challenge in recombinant systems. To overcome this obstacle, we report a genetic construct that circularizes mRNA in vivo by rearranging the topology of a group I self-splicing intron from T4 bacteriophage, thereby enabling "loopable" translation. Using a fluorescence-based assay to probe the translational efficiency of circularized mRNAs, we identify several conditions that optimize protein expression from this system. Our data suggested that translation of circularized mRNAs could be limited primarily by the rate of ribosomal initiation; therefore, using a modified error-prone PCR method, we generated a library that concentrated mutations into the initiation region of circularized mRNA and discovered mutants that generated markedly higher expression levels. Combining our rational improvements with those discovered through directed evolution, we report a loopable translator that achieves protein expression levels within 1.5-fold of the levels of standard vectorial translation. In summary, our work demonstrates loopable translation as a promising platform for the creation of large peptide chains, with potential utility in the development of novel protein materials.
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19
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Critical role of minor eggcase silk component in promoting spidroin chain alignment and strong fiber formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2100496118. [PMID: 34531321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100496118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural spider silk with extraordinary mechanical properties is typically spun from more than one type of spidroin. Although the main components of various spider silks have been widely studied, little is known about the molecular role of the minor silk components in spidroin self-assembly and fiber formation. Here, we show that the minor component of spider eggcase silk, TuSp2, not only accelerates self-assembly but remarkably promotes molecular chain alignment of spidroins upon physical shearing. NMR structure of the repetitive domain of TuSp2 reveals that its dimeric structure with unique charged surface serves as a platform to recruit different domains of the main eggcase component TuSp1. Artificial fiber spun from the complex between TuSp1 and TuSp2 minispidroins exhibits considerably higher strength and Young's modulus than its native counterpart. These results create a framework for rationally designing silk biomaterials based on distinct roles of silk components.
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20
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Kono N, Nakamura H, Mori M, Yoshida Y, Ohtoshi R, Malay AD, Pedrazzoli Moran DA, Tomita M, Numata K, Arakawa K. Multicomponent nature underlies the extraordinary mechanical properties of spider dragline silk. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2107065118. [PMID: 34312234 PMCID: PMC8346794 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2107065118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dragline silk of golden orb-weaver spiders (Nephilinae) is noted for its unsurpassed toughness, combining extraordinary extensibility and tensile strength, suggesting industrial application as a sustainable biopolymer material. To pinpoint the molecular composition of dragline silk and the roles of its constituents in achieving its mechanical properties, we report a multiomics approach, combining high-quality genome sequencing and assembly, silk gland transcriptomics, and dragline silk proteomics of four Nephilinae spiders. We observed the consistent presence of the MaSp3B spidroin unique to this subfamily as well as several nonspidroin SpiCE proteins. Artificial synthesis and the combination of these components in vitro showed that the multicomponent nature of dragline silk, including MaSp3B and SpiCE, along with MaSp1 and MaSp2, is essential to realize the mechanical properties of spider dragline silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Kono
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 403-1 Nihonkoku, Daihouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Spiber Inc., 234-1 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Masaru Mori
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 403-1 Nihonkoku, Daihouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Yuki Yoshida
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 403-1 Nihonkoku, Daihouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Rintaro Ohtoshi
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ali D Malay
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 403-1 Nihonkoku, Daihouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Depertment of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, 403-1 Nihonkoku, Daihouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0017, Japan;
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
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21
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Rodriguez-Cabello JC, Gonzalez De Torre I, González-Pérez M, González-Pérez F, Montequi I. Fibrous Scaffolds From Elastin-Based Materials. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:652384. [PMID: 34336798 PMCID: PMC8323661 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.652384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Current cutting-edge strategies in biomaterials science are focused on mimicking the design of natural systems which, over millions of years, have evolved to exhibit extraordinary properties. Based on this premise, one of the most challenging tasks is to imitate the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), due to its ubiquitous character and its crucial role in tissue integrity. The anisotropic fibrillar architecture of the ECM has been reported to have a significant influence on cell behaviour and function. A new paradigm that pivots around the idea of incorporating biomechanical and biomolecular cues into the design of biomaterials and systems for biomedical applications has emerged in recent years. Indeed, current trends in materials science address the development of innovative biomaterials that include the dynamics, biochemistry and structural features of the native ECM. In this context, one of the most actively studied biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications are nanofiber-based scaffolds. Herein we provide a broad overview of the current status, challenges, manufacturing methods and applications of nanofibers based on elastin-based materials. Starting from an introduction to elastin as an inspiring fibrous protein, as well as to the natural and synthetic elastin-based biomaterials employed to meet the challenge of developing ECM-mimicking nanofibrous-based scaffolds, this review will follow with a description of the leading strategies currently employed in nanofibrous systems production, which in the case of elastin-based materials are mainly focused on supramolecular self-assembly mechanisms and the use of advanced manufacturing technologies. Thus, we will explore the tendency of elastin-based materials to form intrinsic fibers, and the self-assembly mechanisms involved. We will describe the function and self-assembly mechanisms of silk-like motifs, antimicrobial peptides and leucine zippers when incorporated into the backbone of the elastin-based biomaterial. Advanced polymer-processing technologies, such as electrospinning and additive manufacturing, as well as their specific features, will be presented and reviewed for the specific case of elastin-based nanofiber manufacture. Finally, we will present our perspectives and outlook on the current challenges facing the development of nanofibrous ECM-mimicking scaffolds based on elastin and elastin-like biomaterials, as well as future trends in nanofabrication and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello
- BIOFORGE, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Israel Gonzalez De Torre
- BIOFORGE, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel González-Pérez
- BIOFORGE, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando González-Pérez
- BIOFORGE, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Montequi
- BIOFORGE, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Network in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
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22
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Hu CF, Qian ZG, Peng Q, Zhang Y, Xia XX. Unconventional Spidroin Assemblies in Aqueous Dope for Spinning into Tough Synthetic Fibers. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:3608-3617. [PMID: 34259496 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Spider dragline silk is a remarkable fiber made by spiders from an aqueous solution of spidroins, and this feat is largely attributed to the tripartite domain architecture of the silk proteins leading to the hierarchical assembly at the nano- and microscales. Although individual amino- and carboxy-terminal domains have been proposed to relate to silk protein assembly, their tentative synergizing roles in recombinant spidroin storage and spinning into synthetic fibers remain elusive. Here, we show biosynthesis and self-assembly of a mimic spidroin composed of amino- and carboxy-terminal domains bracketing 16 consensus repeats of the core region from spider Trichonephila clavipes. The presence of both termini was found essential for self-assembly of the mimic spidroin termed N16C into fibril-like (rather than canonical micellar) nanostructures in concentrated aqueous dope and ordered alignment of these nanofibrils upon extrusion into an acidic coagulation bath. This ultimately led to continuous, macroscopic fibers with a tensile fracture toughness of 100.9 ± 13.2 MJ m-3, which is comparable to that of their natural counterparts. We also found that the recombinant proteins lacking one or both termini were unable to similarly preassemble into fibrillar nanostructures in dopes and thus yielded inferior fiber properties. This work thereby highlights the synergizing role of terminal domains in the storage and processing of recombinant analogues into tough synthetic fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Fei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Gang Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingfa Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaopeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibres and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xia Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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23
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Wang J, Yuan W, Qin R, Fan T, Fan JS, Huang W, Yang D, Lin Z. Self-assembly of tubuliform spidroins driven by hydrophobic interactions among terminal domains. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 166:1141-1148. [PMID: 33157141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spider silk has remarkable physical and biocompatible properties. Investigation of structure-function relationship and self-assembly process of spidroins is necessary for uncovering the mechanism of silk fiber formation. Nevertheless, how the terminal domains initiate self-assembly of soluble tubuliform spidroins to form solid eggcase silk is still not fully understood. Here we investigate the roles of both terminal domains of tubuliform spidroin 1 (TuSp1) in the silk fiber formation. We found that interactions among the terminal domains drive rapid TuSp1 self-assembly and fiber formation, which is insensitive to pH changes from 6.0 to 7.0. These interactions also contribute to the spidroin chain alignment in fiber formation upon shear-force exposure. Structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis identified eight critical surface-exposed residues involved in hydrophobic interactions among terminal domains. Spidroins with single-point mutations of these residues fail to form intermediate micelle-like structures. The structural docking model indicates that multiple terminal domains of TuSp1 may interact with each other based on hydrophobic interactions and surface complementarity, which may lead to forming the surface of the micelle-like structure. Our results provide new insights into the structural mechanism of eggcase silk formation and the basis for designing and producing novel biomaterials derived from spider eggcase silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxia Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Wensu Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Ruiqi Qin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Tiantian Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Jing-Song Fan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Weidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, PR China
| | - Daiwen Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China.
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24
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Shanafelt M, Rabara T, MacArt D, Williams C, Hekman R, Joo H, Tsai J, Vierra C. Structural Characterization of Black Widow Spider Dragline Silk Proteins CRP1 and CRP4. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25143212. [PMID: 32674428 PMCID: PMC7397007 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Spider dragline silk represents a biomaterial with outstanding mechanical properties, possessing high-tensile strength and toughness. In black widows at least eight different proteins have been identified as constituents of dragline silk. These represent major ampullate spidroins MaSp1, MaSp2, MaSp’, and several low-molecular weight cysteine-rich protein (CRP) family members, including CRP1, CRP2, and CRP4. Molecular modeling predicts that CRPs contain a cystine slipknot motif, but experimental evidence to support this assertion remains to be reported. To advance scientific knowledge regarding CRP function, we recombinantly expressed and purified CRP1 and CRP4 from bacteria and investigated their secondary structure using circular dichroism (CD) under different chemical and physical conditions. We demonstrate by far-UV CD spectroscopy that these proteins contain similar secondary structure, having substantial amounts of random coil conformation, followed by lower levels of beta sheet, alpha helical and beta turn structures. CRPs are thermally and pH stable; however, treatment with reagents that disrupt disulfide bonds impact their structural conformations. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) data also support computational models of CRP1. Taken together, the chemical and thermal stability of CRPs, the cross-linking data, coupled with the structural sensitivity to reducing agents, are experimentally consistent with the supposition CRPs are cystine slipknot proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikayla Shanafelt
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (M.S.); (T.R.); (D.M.); (H.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Taylor Rabara
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (M.S.); (T.R.); (D.M.); (H.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Danielle MacArt
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (M.S.); (T.R.); (D.M.); (H.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Caroline Williams
- Institute for Biomedical Science Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, Georgia State University, Decatur, GA 30302, USA;
| | - Ryan Hekman
- Center for Network Systems Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Hyun Joo
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (M.S.); (T.R.); (D.M.); (H.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Jerry Tsai
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (M.S.); (T.R.); (D.M.); (H.J.); (J.T.)
| | - Craig Vierra
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA; (M.S.); (T.R.); (D.M.); (H.J.); (J.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 209-946-3024
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25
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Finnigan W, Roberts AD, Ligorio C, Scrutton NS, Breitling R, Blaker JJ, Takano E. The effect of terminal globular domains on the response of recombinant mini-spidroins to fiber spinning triggers. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10671. [PMID: 32606438 PMCID: PMC7327021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67703-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider silk spidroins consist of long repetitive protein strands, flanked by globular terminal domains. The globular domains are often omitted in recombinant spidroins, but are thought to be essential for the spiders' natural spinning process. Mimicking this spinning process could be an essential step towards producing strong synthetic spider silk. Here we describe the production of a range of mini-spidroins with both terminal domains, and characterize their response to a number of biomimetic spinning triggers. Our results suggest that mini-spidroins which are able to form protein micelles due to the addition of both terminal domains exhibit shear-thinning, a property which native spidroins also show. Furthermore, our data also suggest that a pH drop alone is insufficient to trigger assembly in a wet-spinning process, and must be combined with salting-out for effective fiber formation. With these insights, we applied these assembly triggers for relatively biomimetic wet spinning. This work adds to the foundation of literature for developing improved biomimetic spinning techniques, which ought to result in synthetic silk that more closely approximates the unique properties of native spider silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Finnigan
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Aled D Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Cosimo Ligorio
- Department of Materials, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Rainer Breitling
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jonny J Blaker
- Bio-Active Materials Group, Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Eriko Takano
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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26
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Goretzki B, Heiby JC, Hacker C, Neuweiler H, Hellmich UA. NMR assignments of a dynamically perturbed and dimerization inhibited N-terminal domain variant of a spider silk protein from E. australis. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2020; 14:67-71. [PMID: 31786743 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-019-09922-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Web spiders use specialized glands to produce silk proteins, so-called spidroins, which assemble into extraordinarily tough silk fibers through tightly regulated phase and structural transitions. A crucial step in the polymerization of spidroins is the pH-triggered assembly of their N-terminal domains (NTDs) into tight dimers. Major ampullate spidroin NTDs contain an unusually high content of the amino acid methionine. We previously showed that the simultaneous mutation of the six hydrophobic core methionine residues to leucine in the NTD of the major ampullate spidroin 1 from Euprosthenops australis, a nursery web spider, yields a protein (L6-NTD) retaining a three-dimensional fold identical to the wildtype (WT) domain, yet with a significantly increased stability. Further, the dynamics of the L6-NTD are significantly reduced and the ability to dimerize is severely impaired compared to the WT domain. These properties lead to significant changes in the NMR spectra between WT and L6-NTD so that the previously available WT-NTD assignments cannot be transferred to the mutant protein. Here, we thus report the de novo NMR backbone and side chain assignments of the major ampullate spidroin 1 L6-NTD variant from E. australis as a prerequisite for obtaining further insights into protein structure and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Goretzki
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becher-Weg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Julia C Heiby
- Department of Biotechnology & Biophysics, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Hacker
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hannes Neuweiler
- Department of Biotechnology & Biophysics, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ute A Hellmich
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becher-Weg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
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27
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Kaldmäe M, Leppert A, Chen G, Sarr M, Sahin C, Nordling K, Kronqvist N, Gonzalvo-Ulla M, Fritz N, Abelein A, Laίn S, Biverstål H, Jörnvall H, Lane DP, Rising A, Johansson J, Landreh M. High intracellular stability of the spidroin N-terminal domain in spite of abundant amyloidogenic segments revealed by in-cell hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. FEBS J 2019; 287:2823-2833. [PMID: 31815338 PMCID: PMC7383493 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Proteins require an optimal balance of conformational flexibility and stability in their native environment to ensure their biological functions. A striking example is spidroins, spider silk proteins, which are stored at extremely high concentrations in soluble form, yet undergo amyloid-like aggregation during spinning. Here, we elucidate the stability of the highly soluble N-terminal domain (NT) of major ampullate spidroin 1 in the Escherichia coli cytosol as well as in inclusion bodies containing fibrillar aggregates. Surprisingly, we find that NT, despite being largely composed of amyloidogenic sequences, showed no signs of concentration-dependent aggregation. Using a novel intracellular hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) approach, we reveal that NT adopts a tight fold in the E. coli cytosol and in this manner conceals its aggregation-prone regions by maintaining a tight fold under crowded conditions. Fusion of NT to the unstructured amyloid-forming Aβ40 peptide, on the other hand, results in the formation of fibrillar aggregates. However, HDX-MS indicates that the NT domain is only partially incorporated into these aggregates in vivo. We conclude that NT is able to control its aggregation to remain functional under the extreme conditions in the spider silk gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Kaldmäe
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - Axel Leppert
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Gefei Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Medoune Sarr
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cagla Sahin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Nordling
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Marta Gonzalvo-Ulla
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden.,Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Fritz
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Sonia Laίn
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Hans Jörnvall
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - David P Lane
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solna, Sweden
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28
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Heiby JC, Goretzki B, Johnson CM, Hellmich UA, Neuweiler H. Methionine in a protein hydrophobic core drives tight interactions required for assembly of spider silk. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4378. [PMID: 31558722 PMCID: PMC6763431 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Web spiders connect silk proteins, so-called spidroins, into fibers of extraordinary toughness. The spidroin N-terminal domain (NTD) plays a pivotal role in this process: it polymerizes spidroins through a complex mechanism of dimerization. Here we analyze sequences of spidroin NTDs and find an unusually high content of the amino acid methionine. We simultaneously mutate all methionines present in the hydrophobic core of a spidroin NTD from a nursery web spider’s dragline silk to leucine. The mutated NTD is strongly stabilized and folds at the theoretical speed limit. The structure of the mutant is preserved, yet its ability to dimerize is substantially impaired. We find that side chains of core methionines serve to mobilize the fold, which can thereby access various conformations and adapt the association interface for tight binding. Methionine in a hydrophobic core equips a protein with the capacity to dynamically change shape and thus to optimize its function. Spider silk is of interest in material science research. Here the authors show that the tight binding of a spider silk protein domain relies on the amino acid methionine, which is abundant in the domain core where it facilitates dynamic shape adaption of the binding interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C Heiby
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Goretzki
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany.,Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christopher M Johnson
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Ute A Hellmich
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128, Mainz, Germany. .,Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Hannes Neuweiler
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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29
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Garb JE, Haney RA, Schwager EE, Gregorič M, Kuntner M, Agnarsson I, Blackledge TA. The transcriptome of Darwin's bark spider silk glands predicts proteins contributing to dragline silk toughness. Commun Biol 2019; 2:275. [PMID: 31372514 PMCID: PMC6658490 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0496-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Darwin's bark spider (Caerostris darwini) produces giant orb webs from dragline silk that can be twice as tough as other silks, making it the toughest biological material. This extreme toughness comes from increased extensibility relative to other draglines. We show C. darwini dragline-producing major ampullate (MA) glands highly express a novel silk gene transcript (MaSp4) encoding a protein that diverges markedly from closely related proteins and contains abundant proline, known to confer silk extensibility, in a unique GPGPQ amino acid motif. This suggests C. darwini evolved distinct proteins that may have increased its dragline's toughness, enabling giant webs. Caerostris darwini's MA spinning ducts also appear unusually long, potentially facilitating alignment of silk proteins into extremely tough fibers. Thus, a suite of novel traits from the level of genes to spinning physiology to silk biomechanics are associated with the unique ecology of Darwin's bark spider, presenting innovative designs for engineering biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E. Garb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 198 Riverside Street, Olsen Hall 414, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - Robert A. Haney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 198 Riverside Street, Olsen Hall 414, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - Evelyn E. Schwager
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 198 Riverside Street, Olsen Hall 414, Lowell, MA 01854 USA
| | - Matjaž Gregorič
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Biological Institute Jovan Hadži ZRC SAZU, Novi trg 2, P.O. Box 306, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Kuntner
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Biological Institute Jovan Hadži ZRC SAZU, Novi trg 2, P.O. Box 306, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ingi Agnarsson
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405 USA
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Integrated Bioscience Program, Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325 USA
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30
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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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31
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Abstract
Web spiders synthesize silk fibers of unique strength and extensibility through the controlled self-assembly of protein building blocks, so-called spidroins. The spidroin C-terminal domain is highly conserved and connects two polypeptide chains through formation of an all-helical, intertwined dimer. Here we use contact-induced fluorescence self-quenching and resonance energy transfer in combination with far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy as three orthogonal structural probes to dissect the mechanism of folding and dimerization of a spidroin C-terminal domain from the major ampullate gland of the nursery web spider Euprosthenops australis. We show that helices forming the dimer core assemble very rapidly and fold on association. Subsequently, peripheral helices fold and dock slowly onto the preformed core. Lability of outer helices facilitates formation of a highly expanded, partially folded dimer. The high end-to-end distance of chain termini in the partially folded dimer suggests an extensibility module that contributes to elasticity of spider silk.
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32
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Landreh M, Andersson M, Marklund EG, Jia Q, Meng Q, Johansson J, Robinson CV, Rising A. Mass spectrometry captures structural intermediates in protein fiber self-assembly. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 53:3319-3322. [PMID: 28184384 PMCID: PMC5530726 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc00307b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Integrating ion mobility mass spectrometry and molecular dynamics simulations provides insights into intermediates in spider silk formation. The resulting structural models reveal how soluble spidroin proteins use their terminal domains to assemble into silk fibers.
Self-assembling proteins, the basis for a broad range of biological scaffolds, are challenging to study using most structural biology approaches. Here we show that mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with MD simulations captures structural features of short-lived oligomeric intermediates in spider silk formation, providing direct insights into its complex assembly process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Landreh
- Department of Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK.
| | - Marlene Andersson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik G Marklund
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Qiupin Jia
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, P. R. China
| | - Qing Meng
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, P. R. China
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden and Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 14157, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK.
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden and Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 14157, Stockholm, Sweden.
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33
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Rimmerman D, Leshchev D, Hsu DJ, Hong J, Abraham B, Henning R, Kosheleva I, Chen LX. Probing Cytochrome c Folding Transitions upon Phototriggered Environmental Perturbations Using Time-Resolved X-ray Scattering. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:5218-5224. [PMID: 29709179 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b03354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Direct tracking of protein structural dynamics during folding-unfolding processes is important for understanding the roles of hierarchic structural factors in the formation of functional proteins. Using cytochrome c (cyt c) as a platform, we investigated its structural dynamics during folding processes triggered by local environmental changes (i.e., pH or heme iron center oxidation/spin/ligation states) with time-resolved X-ray solution scattering measurements. Starting from partially unfolded cyt c, a sudden pH drop initiated by light excitation of a photoacid caused a structural contraction in microseconds, followed by active site restructuring and unfolding in milliseconds. In contrast, the reduction of iron in the heme via photoinduced electron transfer did not affect conformational stability at short timescales (<1 ms), despite active site coordination geometry changes. These results demonstrate how different environmental perturbations can change the nature of interaction between the active site and protein conformation, even within the same metalloprotein, which will subsequently affect the folding structural dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolev Rimmerman
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - Denis Leshchev
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - Darren J Hsu
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - Jiyun Hong
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - Baxter Abraham
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of Delaware , Newark , Delaware 19716 , United States
| | - Robert Henning
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Irina Kosheleva
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Lin X Chen
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States.,Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division , Argonne National Laboratory , Argonne , Illinois 60439 , United States
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Humenik M, Lang G, Scheibel T. Silk nanofibril self-assembly versus electrospinning. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 10:e1509. [PMID: 29393590 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Natural silk fibers represent one of the most advanced blueprints for (bio)polymer scientists, displaying highly optimized mechanical properties due to their hierarchical structures. Biotechnological production of silk proteins and implementation of advanced processing methods enabled harnessing the potential of these biopolymer not just based on the mechanical properties. In addition to fibers, diverse morphologies can be produced, such as nonwoven meshes, films, hydrogels, foams, capsules and particles. Among them, nanoscale fibrils and fibers are particularly interesting concerning medical and technical applications due to their biocompatibility, environmental and mechanical robustness as well as high surface-to-volume ratio. Therefore, we introduce here self-assembly of silk proteins into hierarchically organized structures such as supramolecular nanofibrils and fabricated materials based thereon. As an alternative to self-assembly, we also present electrospinning a technique to produce nanofibers and nanofibrous mats. Accordingly, we introduce a broad range of silk-based dopes, used in self-assembly and electrospinning: natural silk proteins originating from natural spinning glands, natural silk protein solutions reconstituted from fibers, engineered recombinant silk proteins designed from natural blueprints, genetic fusions of recombinant silk proteins with other structural or functional peptides and moieties, as well as hybrids of recombinant silk proteins chemically conjugated with nonproteinaceous biotic or abiotic molecules. We highlight the advantages but also point out drawbacks of each particular production route. The scope includes studies of the natural self-assembly mechanism during natural silk spinning, production of silk fibrils as new nanostructured non-native scaffolds allowing dynamic morphological switches, as well as studying potential applications. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Humenik
- Biomaterials, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Gregor Lang
- Biomaterials, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Biomaterials, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuth Center for Colloids and Interfaces (BZKG), Research Center Bio-Macromolecules (BIOmac), Bayreuth Center for Molecular Biosciences (BZMB), Bayreuth Center for Material Science (BayMAT), Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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35
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Conservation of folding and association within a family of spidroin N-terminal domains. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16789. [PMID: 29196631 PMCID: PMC5711802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16881-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Web spiders synthesize silk fibres, nature’s toughest biomaterial, through the controlled assembly of fibroin proteins, so-called spidroins. The highly conserved spidroin N-terminal domain (NTD) is a pH-driven self-assembly device that connects spidroins to super-molecules in fibres. The degree to which forces of self-assembly is conserved across spider glands and species is currently unknown because quantitative measures are missing. Here, we report the comparative investigation of spidroin NTDs originating from the major ampullate glands of the spider species Euprosthenops australis, Nephila clavipes, Latrodectus hesperus, and Latrodectus geometricus. We characterized equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics of folding and self-association using dynamic light scattering, stopped-flow fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy in combination with thermal and chemical denaturation experiments. We found cooperative two-state folding on a sub-millisecond time scale through a late transition state of all four domains. Stability was compromised by repulsive electrostatic forces originating from clustering of point charges on the NTD surface required for function. pH-driven dimerization proceeded with characteristic fast kinetics yielding high affinities. Results showed that energetics and kinetics of NTD self-assembly are highly conserved across spider species despite the different silk mechanical properties and web geometries they produce.
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36
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Rimmerman D, Leshchev D, Hsu DJ, Hong J, Kosheleva I, Chen LX. Direct Observation of Insulin Association Dynamics with Time-Resolved X-ray Scattering. J Phys Chem Lett 2017; 8:4413-4418. [PMID: 28853898 PMCID: PMC5804350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b01720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Biological functions frequently require protein-protein interactions that involve secondary and tertiary structural perturbation. Here we study protein-protein dissociation and reassociation dynamics in insulin, a model system for protein oligomerization. Insulin dimer dissociation into monomers was induced by a nanosecond temperature-jump (T-jump) of ∼8 °C in aqueous solution, and the resulting protein and solvent dynamics were tracked by time-resolved X-ray solution scattering (TRXSS) on time scales of 10 ns to 100 ms. The protein scattering signals revealed the formation of five distinguishable transient species during the association process that deviate from simple two-state kinetics. Our results show that the combination of T-jump pump coupled to TRXSS probe allows for direct tracking of structural dynamics in nonphotoactive proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolev Rimmerman
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Denis Leshchev
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Darren J. Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jiyun Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Irina Kosheleva
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Lin X. Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
- Corresponding Author, ,
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37
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Jacobsen MM, Tokareva OS, Ebrahimi D, Huang W, Ling S, Dinjaski N, Li D, Simon M, Staii C, Buehler MJ, Kaplan DL, Wong JY. Effect of Terminal Modification on the Molecular Assembly and Mechanical Properties of Protein-Based Block Copolymers. Macromol Biosci 2017; 17:10.1002/mabi.201700095. [PMID: 28665510 PMCID: PMC5600892 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201700095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Accurate prediction and validation of the assembly of bioinspired peptide sequences into fibers with defined mechanical characteristics would aid significantly in designing and creating materials with desired properties. This process may also be utilized to provide insight into how the molecular architecture of many natural protein fibers is assembled. In this work, computational modeling and experimentation are used in tandem to determine how peptide terminal modification affects a fiber-forming core domain. Modeling shows that increased terminal molecular weight and hydrophilicity improve peptide chain alignment under shearing conditions and promote consolidation of semicrystalline domains. Mechanical analysis shows acute improvements to strength and elasticity, but significantly reduced extensibility and overall toughness. These results highlight an important entropic function that terminal domains of fiber-forming peptides exhibit as chain alignment promoters, which ultimately has notable consequences on the mechanical behavior of the final fiber products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Jacobsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Olena S Tokareva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Davoud Ebrahimi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Wenwen Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Shengjie Ling
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Nina Dinjaski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - David Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marc Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Nanoscopic Physics, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Cristian Staii
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Nanoscopic Physics, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Joyce Y Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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38
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Otikovs M, Andersson M, Jia Q, Nordling K, Meng Q, Andreas LB, Pintacuda G, Johansson J, Rising A, Jaudzems K. Degree of Biomimicry of Artificial Spider Silk Spinning Assessed by NMR Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:12571-12575. [PMID: 28791761 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201706649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Biomimetic spinning of artificial spider silk requires that the terminal domains of designed minispidroins undergo specific structural changes in concert with the β-sheet conversion of the repetitive region. Herein, we combine solution and solid-state NMR methods to probe domain-specific structural changes in the NT2RepCT minispidroin, which allows us to assess the degree of biomimicry of artificial silk spinning. In addition, we show that the structural effects of post-spinning procedures can be examined. By studying the impact of NT2RepCT fiber drying, we observed a reversible beta-to-alpha conversion. We think that this approach will be useful for guiding the optimization of artificial spider silk fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martins Otikovs
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Marlene Andersson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Qiupin Jia
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China
| | - Kerstin Nordling
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Qing Meng
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 201620, Shanghai, China
| | - Loren B Andreas
- Centre de RMN à Très Hauts Champs, Institut des Sciences Analytiques (UMR 5280-CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1), Université de Lyon, 5 rue de la Doua, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Guido Pintacuda
- Centre de RMN à Très Hauts Champs, Institut des Sciences Analytiques (UMR 5280-CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1), Université de Lyon, 5 rue de la Doua, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
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39
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Otikovs M, Andersson M, Jia Q, Nordling K, Meng Q, Andreas LB, Pintacuda G, Johansson J, Rising A, Jaudzems K. Degree of Biomimicry of Artificial Spider Silk Spinning Assessed by NMR Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201706649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martins Otikovs
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Aizkraukles 21 1006 Riga Latvia
| | - Marlene Andersson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7011 750 07 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Qiupin Jia
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Donghua University 201620 Shanghai China
| | - Kerstin Nordling
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society (NVS) Center for Alzheimer Research Karolinska Institutet Novum 141 57 Huddinge Sweden
| | - Qing Meng
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Donghua University 201620 Shanghai China
| | - Loren B. Andreas
- Centre de RMN à Très Hauts Champs Institut des Sciences Analytiques (UMR 5280-CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1) Université de Lyon 5 rue de la Doua 69100 Villeurbanne France
| | - Guido Pintacuda
- Centre de RMN à Très Hauts Champs Institut des Sciences Analytiques (UMR 5280-CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1) Université de Lyon 5 rue de la Doua 69100 Villeurbanne France
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society (NVS) Center for Alzheimer Research Karolinska Institutet Novum 141 57 Huddinge Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7011 750 07 Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society (NVS) Center for Alzheimer Research Karolinska Institutet Novum 141 57 Huddinge Sweden
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Aizkraukles 21 1006 Riga Latvia
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40
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Malay AD, Arakawa K, Numata K. Analysis of repetitive amino acid motifs reveals the essential features of spider dragline silk proteins. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183397. [PMID: 28832627 PMCID: PMC5568437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The extraordinary mechanical properties of spider dragline silk are dependent on the highly repetitive sequences of the component proteins, major ampullate spidroin 1 and 2 (MaSp2 and MaSp2). MaSp sequences are dominated by repetitive modules composed of short amino acid motifs; however, the patterns of motif conservation through evolution and their relevance to silk characteristics are not well understood. We performed a systematic analysis of MaSp sequences encompassing infraorder Araneomorphae based on the conservation of explicitly defined motifs, with the aim of elucidating the essential elements of MaSp1 and MaSp2. The results show that the GGY motif is nearly ubiquitous in the two types of MaSp, while MaSp2 is invariably associated with GP and di-glutamine (QQ) motifs. Further analysis revealed an extended MaSp2 consensus sequence in family Araneidae, with implications for the classification of the archetypal spidroins ADF3 and ADF4. Additionally, the analysis of RNA-seq data showed the expression of a set of distinct MaSp-like variants in genus Tetragnatha. Finally, an apparent association was uncovered between web architecture and the abundance of GP, QQ, and GGY motifs in MaSp2, which suggests a co-expansion of these motifs in response to the evolution of spiders' prey capture strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali D. Malay
- Enzyme Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail: (ADM); (KN)
| | - Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Keiji Numata
- Enzyme Research Team, Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail: (ADM); (KN)
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41
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Benamú M, Lacava M, García LF, Santana M, Fang J, Wang X, Blamires SJ. Nanostructural and mechanical property changes to spider silk as a consequence of insecticide exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 181:241-249. [PMID: 28445817 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoids are one of the world's most extensively used insecticides, but their sub-lethal influences on non-target and beneficial organisms are not well known. Here we exposed the orb web spider Parawixia audax, which is found on arable lands in Uruguay, to a sub-lethal concentration of the broad spectrum insecticide Geonex (thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin) and monitored their web building. We collected their major ampullate silk and subjected it to tensile tests, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) analysis, and amino acid composition analysis. Around half of the exposed spiders failed to build webs. Those that built webs produced irregular webs lacking spiral threads. The mechanical properties, nanostructures, and amino acid compositions of the silk were all significantly affected when the spiders were exposed to insecticides. We found that silk proline, glutamine, alanine and glycine compositions differed between treatments, indicating that insecticide exposure induced downregulation of the silk protein MaSp2. The spiders in the control group had stronger, tougher and more extensible silks than those in the insecticide exposed group. Our WAXS analyses showed the amorphous region nanostructures became misaligned in insecticide exposed silks, explaining their greater stiffness. While the insecticide dose we subjected P. audax to was evidently sub-lethal, the changes in silk physicochemical properties and the impairment to web building will indelibly affect their ability to catch prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Benamú
- Centro Universitario de Rivera (Universidad de la República), Rivera, Uruguay; Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariángeles Lacava
- Centro Universitario de Rivera (Universidad de la República), Rivera, Uruguay; Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luis F García
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (Universidad de la República) Treinta y Tres, Uruguay
| | - Martín Santana
- Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jian Fang
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia
| | - Xungai Wang
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia
| | - Sean J Blamires
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
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42
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Bauer J, Scheibel T. Dimerization of the Conserved N-Terminal Domain of a Spider Silk Protein Controls the Self-Assembly of the Repetitive Core Domain. Biomacromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joschka Bauer
- Lehrstuhl
Biomaterialien, ‡Forschungszentrum für Bio-Makromoleküle (BIOmac), §Bayreuther Zentrum für
Kolloide und Grenzflächen (BZKG), ∥Bayreuther Materialzentrum (BayMat), ⊥Bayreuther Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften
(BZMB), and #Bayrisches
Polymerinstitut (BPI), Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl
Biomaterialien, ‡Forschungszentrum für Bio-Makromoleküle (BIOmac), §Bayreuther Zentrum für
Kolloide und Grenzflächen (BZKG), ∥Bayreuther Materialzentrum (BayMat), ⊥Bayreuther Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften
(BZMB), and #Bayrisches
Polymerinstitut (BPI), Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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43
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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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44
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Bauer J, Schaal D, Eisoldt L, Schweimer K, Schwarzinger S, Scheibel T. Acidic Residues Control the Dimerization of the N-terminal Domain of Black Widow Spiders' Major Ampullate Spidroin 1. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34442. [PMID: 27681031 PMCID: PMC5041093 DOI: 10.1038/srep34442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dragline silk is the most prominent amongst spider silks and comprises two types of major ampullate spidroins (MaSp) differing in their proline content. In the natural spinning process, the conversion of soluble MaSp into a tough fiber is, amongst other factors, triggered by dimerization and conformational switching of their helical amino-terminal domains (NRN). Both processes are induced by protonation of acidic residues upon acidification along the spinning duct. Here, the structure and monomer-dimer-equilibrium of the domain NRN1 of Latrodectus hesperus MaSp1 and variants thereof have been investigated, and the key residues for both could be identified. Changes in ionic composition and strength within the spinning duct enable electrostatic interactions between the acidic and basic pole of two monomers which prearrange into an antiparallel dimer. Upon naturally occurring acidification this dimer is stabilized by protonation of residue E114. A conformational change is independently triggered by protonation of clustered acidic residues (D39, E76, E81). Such step-by-step mechanism allows a controlled spidroin assembly in a pH- and salt sensitive manner, preventing premature aggregation of spider silk proteins in the gland and at the same time ensuring fast and efficient dimer formation and stabilization on demand in the spinning duct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joschka Bauer
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Fakultät für Ingenieurswissenschaften, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Daniel Schaal
- Lehrstuhl Biopolymere, Universität Bayreuth, Bayrisches Geoinstitut, Bayreuth, Germany.,Forschungszentrum für Bio-Makromoleküle (BIOmac), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Lukas Eisoldt
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Fakultät für Ingenieurswissenschaften, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Kristian Schweimer
- Lehrstuhl Biopolymere, Universität Bayreuth, Bayrisches Geoinstitut, Bayreuth, Germany.,Forschungszentrum für Bio-Makromoleküle (BIOmac), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Stephan Schwarzinger
- Lehrstuhl Biopolymere, Universität Bayreuth, Bayrisches Geoinstitut, Bayreuth, Germany.,Forschungszentrum für Bio-Makromoleküle (BIOmac), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, Universität Bayreuth, Fakultät für Ingenieurswissenschaften, Bayreuth, Germany.,Forschungszentrum für Bio-Makromoleküle (BIOmac), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Zentrum für Kolloide und Grenzflächen (BZKG), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Materialzentrum (BayMat), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (BZMB), Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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Atkison JH, Parnham S, Marcotte WR, Olsen SK. Crystal Structure of the Nephila clavipes Major Ampullate Spidroin 1A N-terminal Domain Reveals Plasticity at the Dimer Interface. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:19006-17. [PMID: 27445329 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.736710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider dragline silk is a natural polymer harboring unique physical and biochemical properties that make it an ideal biomaterial. Artificial silk production requires an understanding of the in vivo mechanisms spiders use to convert soluble proteins, called spidroins, into insoluble fibers. Controlled dimerization of the spidroin N-terminal domain (NTD) is crucial to this process. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Nephila clavipes major ampullate spidroin NTD dimer. Comparison of our N. clavipes NTD structure with previously determined Euprosthenops australis NTD structures reveals subtle conformational alterations that lead to differences in how the subunits are arranged at the dimer interface. We observe a subset of contacts that are specific to each ortholog, as well as a substantial increase in asymmetry in the interactions observed at the N. clavipes NTD dimer interface. These asymmetric interactions include novel intermolecular salt bridges that provide new insights into the mechanism of NTD dimerization. We also observe a unique intramolecular "handshake" interaction between two conserved acidic residues that our data suggest adds an additional layer of complexity to the pH-sensitive relay mechanism for NTD dimerization. The results of a panel of tryptophan fluorescence dimerization assays probing the importance of these interactions support our structural observations. Based on our findings, we propose that conformational selectivity and plasticity at the NTD dimer interface play a role in the pH-dependent transition of the NTD from monomer to stably associated dimer as the spidroin progresses through the silk extrusion duct.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Atkison
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425 and
| | - Stuart Parnham
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425 and
| | - William R Marcotte
- the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634
| | - Shaun K Olsen
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425 and
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Barroso da Silva FL, Pasquali S, Derreumaux P, Dias LG. Electrostatics analysis of the mutational and pH effects of the N-terminal domain self-association of the major ampullate spidroin. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:5600-12. [PMID: 27250106 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00860g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Spider silk is a fascinating material combining mechanical properties such as maximum strength and high toughness comparable or better than man-made materials, with biocompatible degradability characteristics. Experimental measurements have shown that pH triggers the dimer formation of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp 1). A coarse-grained model accounting for electrostatics, van der Waals and pH-dependent charge-fluctuation interactions, by means of Monte Carlo simulations, gave us a more comprehensive view of the NTD dimerization process. A detailed analysis of the electrostatic properties and free energy derivatives for the NTD homoassociation was carried out at different pH values and salt concentrations for the protein wild type and for several mutants. We observed an enhancement of dipole-dipole interactions at pH 6 due to the ionization of key amino acids, a process identified as the main driving force for dimerization. Analytical estimates based on the DVLO theory framework corroborate our findings. Molecular dynamics simulations using the OPEP coarse-grained force field for proteins show that the mutant E17Q is subject to larger structural fluctuations when compared to the wild type. Estimates of the association rate constants for this mutant were evaluated by the Debye-Smoluchowski theory and are in agreement with the experimental data when thermally relaxed structures are used instead of the crystallographic data. Our results can contribute to the design of new mutants with specific association properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Luís Barroso da Silva
- Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Av. do café, s/no. - Universidade de São Paulo, BR-14040-903 Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brazil.
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Landreh M, Rising A, Presto J, Jörnvall H, Johansson J. Specific chaperones and regulatory domains in control of amyloid formation. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:26430-6. [PMID: 26354437 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r115.653097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Many proteins can form amyloid-like fibrils in vitro, but only about 30 amyloids are linked to disease, whereas some proteins form physiological amyloid-like assemblies. This raises questions of how the formation of toxic protein species during amyloidogenesis is prevented or contained in vivo. Intrinsic chaperoning or regulatory factors can control the aggregation in different protein systems, thereby preventing unwanted aggregation and enabling the biological use of amyloidogenic proteins. The molecular actions of these chaperones and regulators provide clues to the prevention of amyloid disease, as well as to the harnessing of amyloidogenic proteins in medicine and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Landreh
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 5QY, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Rising
- the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet - Novum, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden, the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Biomedical Centre, Box 575, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jenny Presto
- the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet - Novum, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hans Jörnvall
- the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden, and
| | - Jan Johansson
- the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet - Novum, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden, the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Biomedical Centre, Box 575, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden, the Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tallinn University, Narva mnt 25, 101 20 Tallinn, Estonia
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48
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dos Santos-Pinto JRA, Arcuri HA, Priewalder H, Salles HC, Palma MS, Lubec G. Structural Model for the Spider Silk Protein Spidroin-1. J Proteome Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José Roberto Aparecido dos Santos-Pinto
- Center
of the Study of Social Insects, Department of Biology, Institute of
Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13500, Brazil
- Department
of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Helen Andrade Arcuri
- Center
of the Study of Social Insects, Department of Biology, Institute of
Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13500, Brazil
| | - Helga Priewalder
- Department
of Paleontology, Geological Survey of Austria, Vienna 1230, Austria
| | - Heliana Clara Salles
- Center
of the Study of Social Insects, Department of Biology, Institute of
Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13500, Brazil
| | - Mario Sergio Palma
- Center
of the Study of Social Insects, Department of Biology, Institute of
Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13500, Brazil
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department
of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
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Otikovs M, Chen G, Nordling K, Landreh M, Meng Q, Jörnvall H, Kronqvist N, Rising A, Johansson J, Jaudzems K. Diversified Structural Basis of a Conserved Molecular Mechanism for pH-Dependent Dimerization in Spider Silk N-Terminal Domains. Chembiochem 2015; 16:1720-4. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Xu D, Guo C, Holland GP. Probing the Impact of Acidification on Spider Silk Assembly Kinetics. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:2072-9. [PMID: 26030517 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spiders utilize fine adjustment of the physicochemical conditions within its silk spinning system to regulate spidroin assembly into solid silk fibers with outstanding mechanical properties. However, the exact mechanism about which this occurs remains elusive and is still hotly debated. In this study, the effect of acidification on spider silk assembly was investigated on native spidroins from the major ampullate (MA) gland fluid excised from Latrodectus hesperus (Black Widow) spiders. Incubating the protein-rich MA silk gland fluid at acidic pH conditions results in the formation of silk fibers that are 10-100 μm in length and ∼2 μm in diameter as judged by optical and electron microscope methods. The in vitro spider silk assembly kinetics were monitored as a function of pH with a (13)C solid-state MAS NMR approach. The results confirm the importance of acidic pH in the spider silk self-assembly process with observation of a sigmoidal nucleation-elongation kinetic profile. The rates of nucleation and elongation as well as the percentage of β-sheet structure in the grown fibers depend on the pH. These results confirm the importance of an acidic pH gradient along the spinning duct for spider silk formation and provide a powerful spectroscopic approach to probe the kinetics of spider silk formation under various biochemical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xu
- †Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1604, United States
| | - Chengchen Guo
- †Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1604, United States
| | - Gregory P Holland
- ‡Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182-1030, United States
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