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Chawla S, Seit S, Murab S, Ghosh S. Silk from Indian paper wasp: Structure prediction and secondary conformational analysis. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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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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Kuroda R, Kameda T. Conformation change of hornet silk proteins in the solid phase in response to external stimulation. Chirality 2018; 30:541-547. [PMID: 29384590 DOI: 10.1002/chir.22824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hornet silks adopt a variety of morphology such as fibers, sponge, films, and gels depending on the preparation methods. We have studied the conformation change of hornet silk proteins (Vespa mandarina) as regenerated films, using chiroptical spectrophotometer universal chiroptical spectrophotometer 1, which can measure true circular dichroism spectra without artifact signals that are intrinsic to solid-state samples. The spectra showed that the proteins in films alter the conformation rapidly from the α-helix to the coiled coil and then to a β-sheet structure in response to heat/moisture treatment, but the transformation stopped at the coiled coil state when the sample was soaked in EtOH/water solution. Water is required for the α-helix to the coiled coil transition, and extra energy is required for the further transition to a β-sheet structure. This is the first successful circular dichroism study of fibril silk proteins to follow the conformation changes in the solid state. This work shows that proteins can undergo conformational changes easily even in the solid phase in response to external stimuli, and this can be traced by solid-phase-feasible chiroptical spectrophotometers. Application of unnatural stress to proteins gives valuable insights into their structure and characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Kuroda
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tsunenori Kameda
- Silk Material Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Ibaraki, Japan
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Yoshioka T, Kameda T, Tashiro K, Ohta N, Schaper AK. Transformation of Coiled α-Helices into Cross-β-Sheets Superstructure. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:3892-3903. [PMID: 29084423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The fibrous silk produced by bees, wasps, ants, or hornets is known to form a four-strand α-helical coiled coil superstructure. We have succeeded in showing the formation of this coiled coil structure not only in natural fibers, but also in artificial films made of regenerated silk of the hornet Vespa simillima xanthoptera using wide- and small-angle X-ray scatterings and polarized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of time-resolved simultaneous synchrotron X-ray scattering observations for in situ monitoring of the structural changes in regenerated silk material during tensile deformation, we have shown that the application of tensile force under appropriate conditions induces a transition from the coiled α-helices to a cross-β-sheet superstructure. The four-stranded tertiary superstructure remains unchanged during this process. It has also been shown that the amorphous protein chains in the regenerated silk material are transformed into conventional β-sheet arrangements with varying orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiyo Yoshioka
- Silk Materials Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) , 1-2 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Tsunenori Kameda
- Silk Materials Research Unit, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) , 1-2 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Kohji Tashiro
- Department of Future Industry-Oriented Basic Science and Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Toyota Technological Institute , Tempaku, Nagoya 468-8511, Japan
| | - Noboru Ohta
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1 Koto, Mikazuki-Cho, Sayo-Gun, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Andreas K Schaper
- Center for Materials Sciences, Philipps University of Marburg , 35032 Marburg, Germany
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The molecular structure of the silk fibers from Hymenoptera aculeata (bees, wasps, ants). J Struct Biol 2015; 192:528-538. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Walker AA, Holland C, Sutherland TD. More than one way to spin a crystallite: multiple trajectories through liquid crystallinity to solid silk. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 282:20150259. [PMID: 26041350 PMCID: PMC4590440 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthropods face several key challenges in processing concentrated feedstocks of proteins (silk dope) into solid, semi-crystalline silk fibres. Strikingly, independently evolved lineages of silk-producing organisms have converged on the use of liquid crystal intermediates (mesophases) to reduce the viscosity of silk dope and assist the formation of supramolecular structure. However, the exact nature of the liquid-crystal-forming-units (mesogens) in silk dope, and the relationship between liquid crystallinity, protein structure and silk processing is yet to be fully elucidated. In this review, we focus on emerging differences in this area between the canonical silks containing extended-β-sheets made by silkworms and spiders, and 'non-canonical' silks made by other insect taxa in which the final crystallites are coiled-coils, collagen helices or cross-β-sheets. We compared the amino acid sequences and processing of natural, regenerated and recombinant silk proteins, finding that canonical and non-canonical silk proteins show marked differences in length, architecture, amino acid content and protein folding. Canonical silk proteins are long, flexible in solution and amphipathic; these features allow them both to form large, micelle-like mesogens in solution, and to transition to a crystallite-containing form due to mechanical deformation near the liquid-solid transition. By contrast, non-canonical silk proteins are short and have rod or lath-like structures that are well suited to act both as mesogens and as crystallites without a major intervening phase transition. Given many non-canonical silk proteins can be produced at high yield in E. coli, and that mesophase formation is a versatile way to direct numerous kinds of supramolecular structure, further elucidation of the natural processing of non-canonical silk proteins may to lead to new developments in the production of advanced protein materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Walker
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia Food and Nutrition, CSIRO, Canberra 2600, Australia
| | - Chris Holland
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
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Maitip J, Trueman HE, Kaehler BD, Huttley GA, Chantawannakul P, Sutherland TD. Folding behavior of four silks of giant honey bee reflects the evolutionary conservation of aculeate silk proteins. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 59:72-79. [PMID: 25712559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Multiple gene duplication events in the precursor of the Aculeata (bees, ants, hornets) gave rise to four silk genes. Whilst these homologs encode proteins with similar amino acid composition and coiled coil structure, the retention of all four homologs implies they each are important. In this study we identified, produced and characterized the four silk proteins from Apis dorsata, the giant Asian honeybee. The proteins were readily purified, allowing us to investigate the folding behavior of solutions of individual proteins in comparison to mixtures of all four proteins at concentrations where they assemble into their native coiled coil structure. In contrast to solutions of any one protein type, solutions of a mixture of the four proteins formed coiled coils that were stable against dilution and detergent denaturation. The results are consistent with the formation of a heteromeric coiled coil protein complex. The mechanism of silk protein coiled coil formation and evolution is discussed in light of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakkrawut Maitip
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Holly E Trueman
- CSIRO, (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), Food and Nutrition Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Benjamin D Kaehler
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Gavin A Huttley
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
| | - Tara D Sutherland
- CSIRO, (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), Food and Nutrition Flagship, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Kameda T. Influence of pH, temperature, and concentration on stabilization of aqueous hornet silk solution and fabrication of salt-free materials. Biopolymers 2014; 103:41-52. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsunenori Kameda
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences; Tsukuba 305-8634 Japan
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Kambe Y, Sutherland TD, Kameda T. Recombinant production and film properties of full-length hornet silk proteins. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:3590-8. [PMID: 24862540 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Full-length versions of the four main components of silk cocoons of Vespa simillima hornets, Vssilk1-4, were produced as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. In shake flasks, the recombinant Vssilk proteins yielded 160-330mg recombinant proteinl(-1). Films generated from solutions of single Vssilk proteins had a secondary structure similar to that of films generated from native hornet silk. The films made from individual recombinant hornet silk proteins had similar or enhanced mechanical performance compared with films generated from native hornet silk, possibly reflecting the homogeneity of the recombinant proteins. The pH-dependent changes in zeta (ζ) potential of each Vssilk film were measured, and isoelectric points (pI) of Vssilk1-4 were determined as 8.9, 9.1, 5.0 and 4.2, respectively. The pI of native hornet silk, a combination of the four Vssilk proteins, was 4.7, a value similar to that of Bombyx mori silkworm silk. Films generated from Vssilk1 and 2 had net positive charge under physiological conditions and showed significantly higher cell adhesion activity. It is proposed that recombinant hornet silk is a valuable new material with potential for cell culture applications.
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