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Xia L, Li C, Chen S, Lyu L, Xie W, Yan J, Zhou K, Li P. Spatio-temporal expression patterns of glycine-rich beta proteins and cysteine-rich beta proteins in setae development of Gekko japonicus. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:535. [PMID: 38816837 PMCID: PMC11140998 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10426-8] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Setae on the pad lamellae of the Japanese gecko Gekko japonicus (Schlegel, 1836), a vital epidermal derivative, are primarily composed of cornified beta-proteins (CBPs) and play a pivotal role in adhesion and climbing. The amino acid composition of CBPs might be a determining factor influencing their functional properties. However, the molecular mechanisms governed by CBP genes with diverse amino acid compositions in setae development remain unexplored. RESULTS Based on RNA-seq analyses, this study confirmed that all G. japonicus CBPs (GjCBPs) are involved in setae formation. Cysteine-rich CBPs encoding genes (ge-cprp-17 to ge-cprp-26) and glycine-rich CBPs encoding genes (ge-gprp-17 to ge-gprp-22) were haphazardly selected, with quantitative real-time PCR revealing their expression patterns in embryonic pad lamellae and dorsal epidermis. It is inferred that glycine-rich CBPs are integral to the formation of both dorsal scales and lamellar setae, cysteine-rich CBPs are primarily associated with setae development. Additionally, fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed spatiotemporal differences in the expression of a glycine-rich CBP encoding gene (ge-gprp-19) and a cysteine-rich CBP encoding gene (ge-cprp-17) during dorsal scales and/or lamellar development. CONCLUSIONS All 66 CBPs are involved in the formation of setae. Glycine-rich CBPs hold a significant role in the development of dorsal scales and lamellar setae, whereas most cysteine-rich CBPs appear to be essential components of G. japonicus setae. Even GjCBPs with similar amino acid compositions may play diverse functions. The clear spatio-temporal expression differences between the glycine-rich and cysteine-rich CBP encoding genes during epidermal scale and/or setae formation were observed. Embryonic developmental stages 39 to 42 emerged as crucial phases for setae development. These findings lay the groundwork for deeper investigation into the function of GjCBPs in the development of G. japonicus setae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjie Xia
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Chao Li
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shengnan Chen
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Linna Lyu
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Wenli Xie
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jie Yan
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Kaiya Zhou
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Peng Li
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China.
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Kasper JY, Laschke MW, Koch M, Alibardi L, Magin T, Niessen CM, del Campo A. Actin-templated Structures: Nature's Way to Hierarchical Surface Patterns (Gecko's Setae as Case Study). ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2303816. [PMID: 38145336 PMCID: PMC10933612 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303816] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The hierarchical design of the toe pad surface in geckos and its reversible adhesiveness have inspired material scientists for many years. Micro- and nano-patterned surfaces with impressive adhesive performance have been developed to mimic gecko's properties. While the adhesive performance achieved in some examples has surpassed living counterparts, the durability of the fabricated surfaces is limited and the capability to self-renew and restore function-inherent to biological systems-is unimaginable. Here the morphogenesis of gecko setae using skin samples from the Bibron´s gecko (Chondrodactylus bibronii) is studied. Gecko setae develop as specialized apical differentiation structures at a distinct cell-cell layer interface within the skin epidermis. A primary role for F-actin and microtubules as templating structural elements is necessary for the development of setae's hierarchical morphology, and a stabilization role of keratins and corneus beta proteins is identified. Setae grow from single cells in a bottom layer protruding into four neighboring cells in the upper layer. The resulting multicellular junction can play a role during shedding by facilitating fracture of the cell-cell interface and release of the high aspect ratio setae. The results contribute to the understanding of setae regeneration and may inspire future concepts to bioengineer self-renewable patterned adhesive surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Y. Kasper
- INM‐Leibniz Institute for New MaterialsCampus D2 266123SaarbrueckenGermany
| | - Matthias W. Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental SurgerySaarland University66421HomburgGermany
| | - Marcus Koch
- INM‐Leibniz Institute for New MaterialsCampus D2 266123SaarbrueckenGermany
| | - Lorenzo Alibardi
- Comparative AnatomyDepartment of BiologyUniversity of Bologna& Comparative Histolab40126BolognaItaly
| | - Thomas Magin
- Division of Cell and Developmental BiologyInstitute of BiologyLeipzig University04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Carien M. Niessen
- Department Cell Biology of the SkinCologne Excellence Cluster for Stress Responses in Ageing‐associated diseases (CECAD)Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)University Hospital CologneUniversity of Cologne50931CologneGermany
| | - Aránzazu del Campo
- INM‐Leibniz Institute for New MaterialsCampus D2 266123SaarbrueckenGermany
- Chemistry DepartmentSaarland University66123SaarbrueckenGermany
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Xia L, Li C, Zhao Y, Zhang W, Hu C, Qu Y, Li H, Yan J, Zhou K, Li P. Expression analysis of alpha keratins and corneous beta-protein genes during embryonic development of Gekko japonicus. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 47:101116. [PMID: 37567027 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2023.101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal appendages of birds and reptiles, including claws, feathers, scales, and setae, are primarily composed of alpha keratins (KRTs) and corneous beta-proteins (CBPs). A comprehensive and systematic knowledge of KRTs and CBPs in Schlegel's Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus) is still lacking. In this study, 22 candidate Gecko japonicus keratin (GjKRT) family genes (12 type I genes, 10 type II genes) were identified in the G. japonicus genome. The majority of GjKRT genes across various subgroups had undergone a prolonged and highly conservative evolutionary process. Through a combination of morphological observation, RNA-seq analysis, and qRT-PCR assay, it was possible to discern the dynamic alterations in the expression of GjKRTs and Gecko japonicus corneous beta-proteins genes (GjCBPs). These findings strongly indicate that GjKRTs gradually accumulate to constitute an α-layer, which is subsequently succeeded by the formation of the corneous beta layer containing GjCBPs at late stages (40-42) of embryonic development. The epidermal appendages in G. japonicus may result from the joint accumulation of KRTs and CBPs, with stages 40-42 being critical for their development. These findings provide novel insights into KRTs and CBPs of G. japonicus and offer a foundation for investigating the functions of GjKRT and GjCBP gene families. Furthermore, this knowledge contributes to unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of epidermal appendages in G. japonicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjie Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Chao Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Chaochao Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yanfu Qu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Hong Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jie Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Kaiya Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Peng Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Melrose J. High Performance Marine and Terrestrial Bioadhesives and the Biomedical Applications They Have Inspired. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27248982. [PMID: 36558114 PMCID: PMC9783952 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study has reviewed the naturally occurring bioadhesives produced in marine and freshwater aqueous environments and in the mucinous exudates of some terrestrial animals which have remarkable properties providing adhesion under difficult environmental conditions. These bioadhesives have inspired the development of medical bioadhesives with impressive properties that provide an effective alternative to suturing surgical wounds improving closure and healing of wounds in technically demanding tissues such as the heart, lung and soft tissues like the brain and intestinal mucosa. The Gecko has developed a dry-adhesive system of exceptional performance and has inspired the development of new generation re-usable tapes applicable to many medical procedures. The silk of spider webs has been equally inspiring to structural engineers and materials scientists and has revealed innovative properties which have led to new generation technologies in photonics, phononics and micro-electronics in the development of wearable biosensors. Man made products designed to emulate the performance of these natural bioadhesive molecules are improving wound closure and healing of problematic lesions such as diabetic foot ulcers which are notoriously painful and have also found application in many other areas in biomedicine. Armed with information on the mechanistic properties of these impressive biomolecules major advances are expected in biomedicine, micro-electronics, photonics, materials science, artificial intelligence and robotics technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Melrose
- Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia;
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Northern Campus, The University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
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Khani M, Materzok T, Eslami H, Gorb S, Müller-Plathe F. Water uptake by gecko β-keratin and the influence of relative humidity on its mechanical and volumetric properties. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, INTERFACE 2022; 19:20220372. [PMID: 36128704 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Grand canonical ensemble molecular dynamics simulations are done to calculate the water content of gecko β-keratin as a function of relative humidity (RH). For comparison, we experimentally measured the water uptake of scales of the skin of cobra Naja nigricollis. The calculated sigmoidal sorption isotherm is in good agreement with experiment. To examine the softening effect of water on gecko keratin, we have calculated the mechanical properties of dry and wet keratin samples, and we have established relations between the mechanical properties and the RH. We found that a higher RH causes a decrease in the Young's modulus, the yield stress, the yield strain, the stress at failure and an increase in the strain at failure of the gecko keratin. At low RHs (less than 80%), the change in the mechanical properties is small, with most of the changes occurring at higher RHs. The changes in the macroscopic properties of the keratin are explained by the action of sorbed water on the molecular scale. It causes keratin to swell, thereby increasing the distances between amino acids. This has a weakening effect on amino acid interactions and softens the keratin material. The effect is more pronounced at higher RHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Khani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Persian Gulf University, Boushehr 75168, Iran
| | - Tobias Materzok
- Eduard-Zintl-Institut für Anorganische und Physikalische Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Hossein Eslami
- Eduard-Zintl-Institut für Anorganische und Physikalische Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Persian Gulf University, Boushehr 75168, Iran
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Zoological Institute, Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Florian Müller-Plathe
- Eduard-Zintl-Institut für Anorganische und Physikalische Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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Rasmussen MH, Holler KR, Baio JE, Jaye C, Fischer DA, Gorb SN, Weidner T. Evidence that gecko setae are coated with an ordered nanometre-thin lipid film. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220093. [PMID: 35857888 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The fascinating adhesion of gecko to virtually any material has been related to surface interactions of myriads of spatula at the tips of gecko feet. Surprisingly, the molecular details of the surface chemistry of gecko adhesion are still largely unknown. Lipids have been identified within gecko adhesive pads. However, the location of the lipids, the extent to which spatula are coated with lipids, and how the lipids are structured are still open questions. Lipids can modulate adhesion properties and surface hydrophobicity and may play an important role in adhesion. We have therefore studied the molecular structure of lipids at spatula surfaces using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure imaging. We provide evidence that a nanometre-thin layer of lipids is present at the spatula surfaces of the tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) and that the lipids form ordered, densely packed layers. Such dense, thin lipid layers can effectively protect the spatula proteins from dehydration by forming a barrier against water evaporation. Lipids can also render surfaces hydrophobic and thereby support the gecko adhesive system by enhancement of hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions with surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joe E Baio
- The School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Cherno Jaye
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Daniel A Fischer
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Institute of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tobias Weidner
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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