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Wu D, Koscic A, Schneider S, Dubini RCA, Rodriguez Camargo DC, Schneider S, Rovó P. Unveiling the Dynamic Self-Assembly of a Recombinant Dragline-Silk-Mimicking Protein. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:1759-1774. [PMID: 38343096 PMCID: PMC10934265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Despite the considerable interest in the recombinant production of synthetic spider silk fibers that possess mechanical properties similar to those of native spider silks, such as the cost-effectiveness, tunability, and scalability realization, is still lacking. To address this long-standing challenge, we have constructed an artificial spider silk gene using Golden Gate assembly for the recombinant bacterial production of dragline-mimicking silk, incorporating all the essential components: the N-terminal domain, a 33-residue-long major-ampullate-spidroin-inspired segment repeated 16 times, and the C-terminal domain (N16C). This designed silk-like protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and cast into films from formic acid. We produced uniformly 13C-15N-labeled N16C films and employed solid-state magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for characterization. Thus, we could demonstrate that our bioengineered silk-like protein self-assembles into a film where, when hydrated, the solvent-exposed layer of the rigid, β-nanocrystalline polyalanine core undergoes a transition to an α-helical structure, gaining mobility to the extent that it fully dissolves in water and transforms into a highly dynamic random coil. This hydration-induced behavior induces chain dynamics in the glycine-rich amorphous soft segments on the microsecond time scale, contributing to the elasticity of the solid material. Our findings not only reveal the presence of structurally and dynamically distinct segments within the film's superstructure but also highlight the complexity of the self-organization responsible for the exceptional mechanical properties observed in proteins that mimic dragline silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqing Wu
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Anamaria Koscic
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja Schneider
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Romeo C. A. Dubini
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center
for Nanoscience (CeNS), Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Diana C. Rodriguez Camargo
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Schneider
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Petra Rovó
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute
of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
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Wu SD, Chuang WT, Ho JC, Wu HC, Hsu SH. Self-Healing of Recombinant Spider Silk Gel and Coating. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15081855. [PMID: 37112001 PMCID: PMC10141599 DOI: 10.3390/polym15081855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-healing properties, originating from the natural healing process, are highly desirable for the fitness-enhancing functionality of biomimetic materials. Herein, we fabricated the biomimetic recombinant spider silk by genetic engineering, in which Escherichia coli (E. coli) was employed as a heterologous expression host. The self-assembled recombinant spider silk hydrogel was obtained through the dialysis process (purity > 85%). The recombinant spider silk hydrogel with a storage modulus of ~250 Pa demonstrated autonomous self-healing and high strain-sensitive properties (critical strain ~50%) at 25 °C. The in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (in situ SAXS) analyses revealed that the self-healing mechanism was associated with the stick-slip behavior of the β-sheet nanocrystals (each of ~2-4 nm) based on the slope variation (i.e., ~-0.4 at 100%/200% strains, and ~-0.9 at 1% strain) of SAXS curves in the high q-range. The self-healing phenomenon may occur through the rupture and reformation of the reversible hydrogen bonding within the β-sheet nanocrystals. Furthermore, the recombinant spider silk as a dry coating material demonstrated self-healing under humidity as well as cell affinity. The electrical conductivity of the dry silk coating was ~0.4 mS/m. Neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferated on the coated surface and showed a 2.3-fold number expansion after 3 days of culture. The biomimetic self-healing recombinant spider silk gel and thinly coated surface may have good potential in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Da Wu
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Tsung Chuang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC), Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Chen Ho
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Chen Wu
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Hui Hsu
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
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Recombinant Spider Silk Fiber with High Dimensional Stability in Water and Its NMR Characterization. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238479. [PMID: 36500566 PMCID: PMC9739919 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spider dragline silk has unique characteristics of strength and extensibility, including supercontraction. When we use it as a biomaterial or material for textiles, it is important to suppress the effect of water on the fiber by as much as possible in order to maintain dimensional stability. In order to produce spider silk with a highly hydrophobic character, based on the sequence of ADF-3 silk, we produced recombinant silk (RSSP(VLI)) where all QQ sequences were replaced by VL, while single Q was replaced by I. The artificial RSSP(VLI) fiber was prepared using formic acid as the spinning solvent and methanol as the coagulant solvent. The dimensional stability and water absorption experiments of the fiber were performed for eight kinds of silk fiber. RSSP(VLI) fiber showed high dimensional stability, which is suitable for textiles. A remarkable decrease in the motion of the fiber in water was made evident by 13C solid-state NMR. This study using 13C solid-state NMR is the first trial to put spider silk to practical use and provide information regarding the molecular design of new recombinant spider silk materials with high dimensional stability in water, allowing recombinant spider silk proteins to be used in next-generation biomaterials and materials for textiles.
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Lyu H, Li J, Yuan Z, Liu H, Sun Z, Jiang R, Yu X, Hu Y, Pei Y, Ding J, Shen Y, Guo C. Supertough and Highly Stretchable Silk Protein-based Films with Controlled Biodegradability. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:149-158. [PMID: 36100175 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Naturally derived protein-based biopolymers are considered potential biomaterials in biomedical applications and eco-friendly materials for replacing current petroleum-based polymers due to their good biocompatibility, low environmental impact, and tunable degradability. However, current strategies for fabricating protein-based materials with superior properties and tailored functionality in a scalable manner are still lacking. Here, we demonstrate an aqueous-based scalable approach for fabricating silk protein-based films through controlled molecular self-assembly (CMS) of silk proteins with plasticizers and salt ions. The films fabricated using this method can achieve a toughness of up to 64±5 MJ/m3 with a stretchability of up to 574±31%. We also demonstrate the tunable enzymatic degradability, low in vitro cytotoxicity, and good in vivo biocompatibility of the films. Furthermore, the films can be patterned with predesigned complex structures through laser cutting and functionalized with bioactive components. The functional silk protein-based films show great potential in various applications, including flexible electronics, bioelectronics, tissue engineering, and bioplastic packaging. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Inspired by the naturally optimized multi-scale self-assembly of silk proteins in natural silks, we develop an aqueous-based approach for scalable production of superior protein-based films through controlled molecular self-assembly (CMS) of silk proteins with glycerol and calcium ions. The prepared silk films present outstanding mechanical properties, controlled enzymatic biodegradability, low in vitro cytotoxicity, and good in vivo biocompatibility. Notably, the films fabricated using this method can achieve a high toughness of 64±5 MJ/m3 with a stretchability of 594±31%. The approach introduced in this work provides a facile route toward making silk-based materials with superior properties. It also paves new avenues for developing functional protein-based materials with precisely controlled structures and properties for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lyu
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023
| | - Jinghang Li
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023
| | - Zhechen Yuan
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, 315211; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, 315040
| | - Haoran Liu
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023
| | - Ziyang Sun
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023
| | - Rui Jiang
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023
| | - Xin Yu
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, 315211; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, 315040
| | - Ying Pei
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China, 450001
| | - Jie Ding
- Instrumentation and Service Center for Molecular Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310024
| | - Yi Shen
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, 315211; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, 315040.
| | - Chengchen Guo
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310023.
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