1
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Breakspear S, Nöcker B, Popescu C. Chemical bonds and hair behaviour-A review. Int J Cosmet Sci 2024. [PMID: 38733167 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
When undertaking any review of the structure of the hair and its mechanical properties it becomes apparent that the overall behaviour of keratin fibres is commonly attributed to the presence of hydrogen, disulfide and ionic bonds. The action of physico-chemical agents used during various cosmetic treatments is viewed as the result of an interaction with these bonds. Thus, the breaking of bonds by chemical agents, or via mechanical or thermal stresses, affects the relative balance of disulfide and hydrogen bonds and the contribution of hydrophobic interactions, which are all important factors that may alter hair behaviour. Generally, these chemical bonds are considered as responding homogeneously to the environmental and cosmetic factors. This unitary image is challenged, however, by evaluating the results of chemical, nanomechanical, tensile and thermal measurements, which suggest that disulfide bonds may be grouped into several types, according to their location within the fibre and the way they respond to various agents. A compensatory effect of newly formed hydrogen bonds for broken disulfide bonds may also be seen, and additionally involves different types of hydrogen bonds. As a result, the picture of chemical bonding in hair appears to be far from a homogeneous one. In addition, it is apparent that further investigation is required for clarifying the action of ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions within the hair fibre. The present review aims, thus, at offering a deeper background for understanding how the hair behaves under various conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B Nöcker
- KAO Germany GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - C Popescu
- KAO Germany GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany
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2
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Greco G, Schmuck B, Jalali SK, Pugno NM, Rising A. Influence of experimental methods on the mechanical properties of silk fibers: A systematic literature review and future road map. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:031301. [PMID: 38510706 PMCID: PMC10903380 DOI: 10.1063/5.0155552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Spider silk fibers are of scientific and industrial interest because of their extraordinary mechanical properties. These properties are normally determined by tensile tests, but the values obtained are dependent on the morphology of the fibers, the test conditions, and the methods by which stress and strain are calculated. Because of this, results from many studies are not directly comparable, which has led to widespread misconceptions in the field. Here, we critically review most of the reports from the past 50 years on spider silk mechanical performance and use artificial spider silk and native silks as models to highlight the effect that different experimental setups have on the fibers' mechanical properties. The results clearly illustrate the importance of carefully evaluating the tensile test methods when comparing the results from different studies. Finally, we suggest a protocol for how to perform tensile tests on silk and biobased fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - S. K. Jalali
- Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta, Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | | | - Anna Rising
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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3
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Zeng Y, Plachetzki DC, Nieders K, Campbell H, Cartee M, Pankey MS, Guillen K, Fudge D. Epidermal threads reveal the origin of hagfish slime. eLife 2023; 12:81405. [PMID: 36897815 PMCID: PMC10005773 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
When attacked, hagfishes produce a soft, fibrous defensive slime within a fraction of a second by ejecting mucus and threads into seawater. The rapid setup and remarkable expansion of the slime make it a highly effective and unique form of defense. How this biomaterial evolved is unknown, although circumstantial evidence points to the epidermis as the origin of the thread- and mucus-producing cells in the slime glands. Here, we describe large intracellular threads within a putatively homologous cell type from hagfish epidermis. These epidermal threads averaged ~2 mm in length and ~0.5 μm in diameter. The entire hagfish body is covered by a dense layer of epidermal thread cells, with each square millimeter of skin storing a total of ~96 cm threads. Experimentally induced damage to a hagfish's skin caused the release of threads, which together with mucus, formed an adhesive epidermal slime that is more fibrous and less dilute than the defensive slime. Transcriptome analysis further suggests that epidermal threads are ancestral to the slime threads, with duplication and diversification of thread genes occurring in parallel with the evolution of slime glands. Our results support an epidermal origin of hagfish slime, which may have been driven by selection for stronger and more voluminous slime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zeng
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, United States
| | - David C Plachetzki
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, United States
| | - Kristen Nieders
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, United States
| | - Hannah Campbell
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, United States
| | - Marissa Cartee
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, United States.,Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, United States
| | - M Sabrina Pankey
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, United States
| | - Kennedy Guillen
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, United States
| | - Douglas Fudge
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, United States
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4
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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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5
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Breakspear S, Noecker B, Popescu C. Mechanical anisotropy of hair affected by genetic diseases highlights structural information related to differential crosslinking in keratins. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2023; 52:53-67. [PMID: 36853344 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-023-01635-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Previous work with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) nanoindentation, on longitudinal and cross-sections of the human hair fibre, allowed for the derivation of a model for the mechanical behaviour of human hair, called the Anisotropic Index. Expanding that research further, and by applying this model, the nanomechanical behaviour of hairs from patients with the disease Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) has been examined and structural insights, gained from combining the AFM results with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) experiments and tensile measurements, suggests that TTD-affected hairs have a relatively increased amount of Keratin Intermediate Filaments, contained in compartments of differing crosslinking extent. The associated calculations of axial and transverse Young's Moduli deliver values in good agreement with the measured fibre mechanics. Furthermore, comparing these findings with the results previously obtained from the study of hairs from patients with the disease Monilethrix, it is shown that the Anisotropic Index correlates well with the known deficiencies in both hair types obtained from such patients and allows for discerning between the Control hair and from those affected by the two diseases. AFM nanoindentation along and across the fibre axis and the Anisotropic Index thus appear to reveal structural details of hair not otherwise acquirable, whilst DSC may offer a quick and simple method for distinguishing between different severities of TTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Breakspear
- KAO European Research Laboratories, KAO Germany GmbH, 64297, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bernd Noecker
- KAO European Research Laboratories, KAO Germany GmbH, 64297, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Crisan Popescu
- KAO European Research Laboratories, KAO Germany GmbH, 64297, Darmstadt, Germany.
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6
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Shiang CSA, Bonney C, Lazarus B, Meyers M, Jasiuk I. Hierarchical modeling of elastic moduli of equine hoof wall. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 136:105529. [PMID: 36327663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105529] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study predicts analytically effective elastic moduli of substructures within an equine hoof wall. The hoof wall is represented as a composite material with a hierarchical structure comprised of a sequence of length scales. A bottom-up approach is employed. Thus, the outputs from a lower spatial scale serve as the inputs for the following scale. The models include the Halpin-Tsai model, composite cylinders model, a sutured interface model, and classical laminate theory. The length scales span macroscale, mesoscale, sub-mesoscale, microscale, sub-microscale, and nanoscale. The macroscale represents the hoof wall, consisting of tubules within a matrix at the mesoscale. At the sub-mesoscale, a single hollow tubule is reinforced by a tubule wall made of lamellae; the surrounding intertubular material also has a lamellar structure. The lamellae contain sutured and layered cells at the microscale. A single cell is made of crystalline macrofibrils arranged in an amorphous matrix at the sub-microscale. A macrofibril contains aligned crystalline rod-like intermediate filaments at the nanoscale. Experimentally obtained parameters are used in the modeling as inputs for geometry and nanoscale properties. The predicted properties of the hoof wall material agree with experimental measurements at the mesoscale and macroscale. We observe that the hierarchical structure of the hoof wall leads to a decrease in the elastic modulus with increasing scale, from the nanoscale to the macroscale. Such behavior is an intrinsic characteristic of hierarchical biological materials. This study can serve as a framework for designing impact-resistant hoof-inspired materials and structures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Bonney
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Benjamin Lazarus
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Marc Meyers
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, USA; Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, USA; Dept. of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Iwona Jasiuk
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA.
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7
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Lazarus BS, Luu RK, Ruiz-Pérez S, Bezerra WBA, Becerra-Santamaria K, Leung V, Durazo VHL, Jasiuk I, Barbosa JDV, Meyers MA. Equine hoof wall: structure, properties, and bioinspired designs. Acta Biomater 2022; 151:426-445. [PMID: 35995409 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The horse hoof wall exhibits exceptional impact resistance and fracture control due to its unique hierarchical structure which contains tubular, lamellar, and gradient configurations. In this study, structural characterization of the hoof wall was performed revealing features previously unknown. Prominent among them are tubule bridges, which are imaged and quantified. The hydration-dependent viscoelasticity of the hoof wall is described by a simplified Maxwell-Weichert model with two characteristic relaxation times corresponding to nanoscale and mesoscale features. Creep and relaxation tests reveal that the specific hydration gradient in the hoof keratin likely leads to reduced internal stresses that arise from spatial stiffness variations. To better understand realistic impact modes for the hoof wall in-vivo, drop tower tests were executed on hoof wall samples. Fractography revealed that the hoof wall's reinforced tubular structure dominates at lower impact energies while the intertubular lamellae are dominant at higher impact energies. Broken fibers were observed on the surface of the tubules after failure, suggesting that the physically intertwined nature of the tubule reinforcement and intertubular matrix improves the toughness of this natural fiber reinforced composite. The augmented understanding of the structure-mechanical property relationship in dynamic loading led to the design of additively manufactured bioinspired structures, which were evaluated in quasistatic and dynamic loadings. The inclusion of gradient structures and lamellae significantly reduced the damage sustained in drop tower tests, while tubules increased the energy absorption of samples tested in compact tension. The samples most similar to the hoof wall displayed remarkably consistent fracture control properties. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The horse hoof wall, capable of withstanding large, repeated, dynamic loads, has been touted as a candidate for impact-resistant bioinspiration. However, our understanding of this biological material and its translation into engineered designs is incomplete. In this work, new features of the horse hoof wall are quantified and the hierarchical failure mechanisms of this remarkable material under near-natural loading conditions are uncovered. A model of the hoof wall's viscoelastic response, based on studies of other keratinous materials, was developed. The role of hydration, strain rate, and impact energy on the material's response were elucidated. Finally, multi-material 3D printed designs based on the hoof's meso/microstructure were fabricated and exhibited advantageous energy absorption and fracture control relative to control samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Lazarus
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, USA.
| | - Rachel K Luu
- Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, USA
| | | | | | | | - Victor Leung
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, USA
| | | | - Iwona Jasiuk
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | | | - Marc A Meyers
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, USA; Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, USA; Dept. of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, USA
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8
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Extensible and self-recoverable proteinaceous materials derived from scallop byssal thread. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2731. [PMID: 35585058 PMCID: PMC9117251 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30415-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologically derived and biologically inspired fibers with outstanding mechanical properties have found attractive technical applications across diverse fields. Despite recent advances, few fibers can simultaneously possess high-extensibility and self-recovery properties especially under wet conditions. Here, we report protein-based fibers made from recombinant scallop byssal proteins with outstanding extensibility and self-recovery properties. We initially investigated the mechanical properties of the native byssal thread taken from scallop Chlamys farreri and reveal its high extensibility (327 ± 32%) that outperforms most natural biological fibers. Combining transcriptome and proteomics, we select the most abundant scallop byssal protein type 5-2 (Sbp5-2) in the thread region, and produce a recombinant protein consisting of 7 tandem repeat motifs (rTRM7) of the Sbp5-2 protein. Applying an organic solvent-enabled drawing process, we produce bio-inspired extensible rTRM7 fiber with high-extensibility (234 ± 35%) and self-recovery capability in wet condition, recapitulating the hierarchical structure and mechanical properties of the native scallop byssal thread. We further show that the mechanical properties of rTRM7 fiber are highly regulated by hydrogen bonding and intermolecular crosslinking formed through disulfide bond and metal-carboxyl coordination. With its outstanding mechanical properties, rTRM7 fiber can also be seamlessly integrated with graphene to create motion sensors and electrophysiological signal transmission electrode. Bio-inspired materials are an intense area of study as researchers try to adapt biomaterials for other applications. Here, the authors report on the processing of protein materials derived from the byssal thread of scallops to create high-extensibility materials with self-recovery under wet conditions.
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9
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Sudo S, Watanabe Y, Morigaki A, Inomata K, Hyodo R, Naito A. Synergic Effects of Surfactant and Chelating Agent on Stubborn Keratin Grime for Easy Cleaning. J Oleo Sci 2021; 70:1769-1776. [PMID: 34759116 DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess21239] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on the synergic effect of surfactants and chelating agents on the mechanism to remove stubborn keratin grime (keratin-Ca), which is bound with calcium ions and one of the most difficult grimes to remove, in order to make it easier to clean bathtubs in less time and with less scrubbing. Our approach was to focus on keratin swelling, which we achieved by applying aqueous solutions with chelating agents and anionic surfactants, the combination of which greatly improved the swelling ratio, resulting in quick, easy removal of keratin-Ca with water rinsing and little scrubbing. For the swelling process, we added chelating agents and anionic surfactants to swell the keratin-Ca by both capturing calcium ions and improving solution permeation. Furthermore, we measured the structural change of the keratin-Ca during swelling by TD-NMR and confirmed that a certain combination of chelating agent and anionic surfactant improved swelling by affecting not only the amorphous part such as the keratin matrix, but also the crystalline part such as the intermediate filaments (IFs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Sudo
- Research and Development Headquarters, Lion Corporation
| | | | | | | | - Ryo Hyodo
- Research and Development Headquarters, Lion Corporation
| | - Atsushi Naito
- Research and Development Headquarters, Lion Corporation
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10
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Evolution of a remarkable intracellular polymer and extreme cell allometry in hagfishes. Curr Biol 2021; 31:5062-5068.e4. [PMID: 34547222 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The size of animal cells rarely scales with body size, likely due to biophysical and physiological constraints.1,2 In hagfishes, gland thread cells (GTCs) each produce a silk-like proteinaceous fiber called a slime thread.3,4 The slime threads impart strength to a hagfish's defensive slime and thus are potentially subject to selection on their function outside of the body.5-8 Body size is of fundamental importance in predator-prey interactions, which led us to hypothesize that larger hagfishes produce longer and stronger slime threads than smaller ones.9 Here, by sampling a range of sizes of hagfish from 19 species, we systematically examined the scaling of GTC and slime-thread dimensions with body size within both phylogenetic and ontogenetic contexts. We found that the length of GTCs varied between 40 and 250 μm and scaled positively with body size, exhibiting an allometric exponent greater than those in other animal cells. Correspondingly, larger hagfishes produce longer and thicker slime threads and thus are equipped to defend against larger predators. With diameter and length varying 4-fold (0.7-4 μm and 5-22 cm, respectively) over a body-size range of 10-128 cm, the slime threads characterize the largest intracellular polymers known in biology. Our results suggest selection for stronger defensive slime in larger hagfishes has driven the evolution of extreme size and allometry of GTCs.
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11
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Oliveira PE, Chen D, Bell BE, Harris TI, Walker C, Zhang H, Grob B, Lewis RV, Jones JA. The next generation of protein super-fibres: robust recombinant production and recovery of hagfish intermediate filament proteins with fibre spinning and mechanical-structural characterizations. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1976-1989. [PMID: 34191387 PMCID: PMC8449652 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Native hagfish intermediate filament proteins have impressive mechanical properties. However, using these native fibres for any application is impractical, necessitating their recombinant production. In the only literature report on the proteins (denoted α and ɣ), heterologous expression levels, using E. coli, were low and no attempts were made to optimize expression, explore wet‐spinning, or spin the two proteins individually into fibres. Reported here is the high production (~8 g l−1 of dry protein) of the hagfish intermediate filament proteins, with yields orders of magnitude higher (325–1000×) than previous reports. The proteins were spun into fibres individually and in their native‐like 1:1 ratio. For all fibres, the hallmark α‐helix to β‐sheet conversion occurred after draw‐processing. The native‐like 1:1 ratio fibres achieved the highest average tensile strength in this study at nearly 200 MPa with an elastic modulus of 5.7 GPa, representing the highest tensile strength reported for these proteins without chemical cross‐linking. Interestingly, the recombinant α protein achieved nearly the same mechanical properties when spun as a homopolymeric fibre. These results suggest that varying the two protein ratios beyond the natural 1:1 ratio will allow a high degree of tunability. With robust heterologous expression and purification established, optimizing fibre spinning will be accelerated compared to difficult to produce proteins such as spider silks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula E Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Brianne E Bell
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Thomas I Harris
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Caleb Walker
- Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Haixia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Brittany Grob
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Randolph V Lewis
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - Justin A Jones
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
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12
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Bressman N, Fudge D. From reductionism to synthesis: The case of hagfish slime. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 255:110610. [PMID: 33971350 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Reductionist strategies aim to understand the mechanisms of complex systems by studying individual parts and their interactions. In this review, we discuss how reductionist approaches have shed light on the structure, function, and production of a complex biomaterial - hagfish defensive slime. Hagfish slime is an extremely dilute hydrogel-like material composed of seawater, mucus, and silk-like proteins that can deploy rapidly. Despite being composed almost entirely of water, hagfish slime has remarkable physical properties, including high strength and toughness. While hagfish slime has a promising future in biomimetics, including the development of eco-friendly high-performance fibers, recreating hagfish slime in the lab has been a difficult challenge. Over the past two decades, reductionist experiments have provided a wealth of information about the individual components of hagfish slime. However, a reductionist approach provides a limited understanding because hagfish defensive slime, like most biological phenomena, is more than just the sum of its parts. We end by providing some thoughts about how the knowledge generated in the last few decades might be synthesized into a working model that can explain hagfish slime structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Bressman
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Dr., Orange, CA 92866, USA.
| | - Douglas Fudge
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Dr., Orange, CA 92866, USA
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13
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Abstract
Keratins, as a group of insoluble and filament-forming proteins, mainly exist in certain epithelial cells of vertebrates. Keratinous materials are made up of cells filled with keratins, while they are the toughest biological materials such as the human hair, wool and horns of mammals and feathers, claws, and beaks of birds and reptiles which usually used for protection, defense, hunting and as armor. They generally exhibit a sophisticated hierarchical structure ranging from nanoscale to centimeter-scale: polypeptide chain structures, intermediated filaments/matrix structures, and lamellar structures. Therefore, more and more attention has been paid to the investigation of the relationship between structure and properties of keratins, and a series of biomimetic materials based on keratin came into being. In this chapter, we mainly introduce the hierarchical structure, the secondary structure, and the molecular structure of keratins, including α- and β-keratin, to promote the development of novel keratin-based biomimetic materials designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Zhang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yimin Fan
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China.
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14
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Zhang W, Ren J, Pei Y, Ye C, Fan Y, Qi Z, Ling S. Analysis of the Contribution of Conformation and Fibrils on Tensile Toughness and Fracture Resistance of Camel Hairs. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020. [PMID: 33356118 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00892] [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: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Animal hairs, like other natural fibers, display excellent mechanical properties, especially, the tensile toughness and fracture resistance. Several structure-mechanics models have attributed mechanical superiority of hair to its unique nanocomposite structure which consists of intermediate filaments and matrix. However, the contribution of fibrils and their associated interfaces on the mechanical properties of animal hairs remains unclear. Herein, using the small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, and an ultrahigh-speed microcamera system, it is confirmed that the conformation and fibrils (which represent both nanofibrils and microfibrils) of the keratin channel endow tensile toughness and fracture resistance to camel hairs. During the stretching process, an α-β transition occurred at the secondary structure level, leading to the formation of a tensile plateau, which improves the toughness compared with the structure without a conformation transition. Meanwhile, fibrils further toughened the camel hairs and resisted their crack propagation through confined fibrillar slippage, splitting, and pulling. These structure-property relations in natural hairs can inspire damage-tolerant polymer fiber design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Zhang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel & Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Forestry Genetics & Biotechnology (Nanjing Forestry University) of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.,School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jing Ren
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ying Pei
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Chao Ye
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yimin Fan
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel & Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Forestry Genetics & Biotechnology (Nanjing Forestry University) of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Zeming Qi
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengjie Ling
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China
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15
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Nanomechanical properties of Monilethrix affected hair are independent of phenotype. J Struct Biol 2020; 213:107679. [PMID: 33309724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Utilising the AFM nanoindentation technique for the study of hair cross- and longitudinal sections, the mechanical anisotropy of human hair fibres affected by a rare congenital condition, Monilethrix, has been investigated for the first time. Supported by X-ray microdiffraction data, and applying a model based on an ideal composite material consisting of rods (KIFs) and matrix (KAPs) to Monilethrix affected fibres, it has been shown that the results could be grouped into clearly different classes, namely: almost isotropic behaviour for Monilethrix affected hairs and anisotropic behaviour for Control hair. Moreover, AFM nanoindentation of hair cross sections has demonstrated, also for the first time that hairs affected by Monilethrix have a continuous, and not periodic, weakness within the cortex. This has been attributed to disruptions in the KIF-KIF, KIF-intermacrofibrillar matrix or KIF-desmosome complexes within the hair shaft, as suggested by X-ray microdiffraction examination. Hairs from a patient exhibiting no obvious phenotype exhibited similar mechanical weakness despite the otherwise normal visual appearance of the fibre. This further supports a hypothesis that the beaded appearance of Monilethrix hair is a secondary factor, unrelated to the inherent structural weakness.
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16
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Khrunyk Y, Lach S, Petrenko I, Ehrlich H. Progress in Modern Marine Biomaterials Research. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:E589. [PMID: 33255647 PMCID: PMC7760574 DOI: 10.3390/md18120589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing demand for new, sophisticated, multifunctional materials has brought natural structural composites into focus, since they underwent a substantial optimization during long evolutionary selection pressure and adaptation processes. Marine biological materials are the most important sources of both inspiration for biomimetics and of raw materials for practical applications in technology and biomedicine. The use of marine natural products as multifunctional biomaterials is currently undergoing a renaissance in the modern materials science. The diversity of marine biomaterials, their forms and fields of application are highlighted in this review. We will discuss the challenges, solutions, and future directions of modern marine biomaterialogy using a thorough analysis of scientific sources over the past ten years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Khrunyk
- Department of Heat Treatment and Physics of Metal, Ural Federal University, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia;
- Institute of High Temperature Electrochemistry, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 620990 Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Slawomir Lach
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Iaroslav Petrenko
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany;
| | - Hermann Ehrlich
- Institute of Electronics and Sensor Materials, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany;
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61614 Poznan, Poland
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17
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Khayat M, Deri S, Wolf D, Trigano T, Medalia O, Ben-Harush K. Biomimetic nuclear lamin fibers with remarkable toughness and stiffness. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:2060-2067. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.09.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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18
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Romdhane L, Bouhamed H, Ghedira K, Ben Hamda C, Louhichi A, Jmel H, Romdhane S, Charfeddine C, Mokni M, Abdelhak S, Rebai A. The morbid cutaneous anatomy of the human genome revealed by a bioinformatic approach. Genomics 2020; 112:4232-4241. [PMID: 32650097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Computational approaches have been developed to prioritize candidate genes in disease gene identification. They are based on different pieces of evidences associating each gene with the given disease. In this study, 648 genes underlying genodermatoses have been compared to 1808 genes involved in other genetic diseases using a bioinformatic approach. These genes were studied at the structural, evolutionary and functional levels. Results show that genes underlying genodermatoses present longer CDS and have more exons. Significant differences were observed in nucleotide motif and amino-acid compositions. Evolutionary conservation analysis revealed that genodermatoses genes have less paralogs, more orthologs in Mouse and Dog and are less conserved. Functional analysis revealed that genodermatosis genes seem to be involved in immune system and skin layers. The Bayesian network model returned a rate of good classification of around 80%. This computational approach could help investigators working in the field of dermatology by prioritizing positional candidate genes for mutation screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Romdhane
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR11IPT05, LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Jarzouna, Université Tunis Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Heni Bouhamed
- Molecular and Cellular Screening Process Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Cherif Ben Hamda
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Louhichi
- Molecular and Cellular Screening Process Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Haifa Jmel
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR11IPT05, LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Safa Romdhane
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR11IPT05, LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Chérine Charfeddine
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR11IPT05, LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; High Institut of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, BiotechPole of Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Mokni
- Department of Dermatology, CHU La Rabta Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia; Public health and infection Research Laboratory, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Abdelhak
- Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics Laboratory LR11IPT05, LR16IPT05, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Rebai
- Molecular and Cellular Screening Process Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
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19
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Donato RK, Mija A. Keratin Associations with Synthetic, Biosynthetic and Natural Polymers: An Extensive Review. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 12:E32. [PMID: 31878054 PMCID: PMC7023547 DOI: 10.3390/polym12010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the biopolymers from animal sources, keratin is one the most abundant, with a major contribution from side stream products from cattle, ovine and poultry industry, offering many opportunities to produce cost-effective and sustainable advanced materials. Although many reviews have discussed the application of keratin in polymer-based biomaterials, little attention has been paid to its potential in association with other polymer matrices. Thus, herein, we present an extensive literature review summarizing keratin's compatibility with other synthetic, biosynthetic and natural polymers, and its effect on the materials' final properties in a myriad of applications. First, we revise the historical context of keratin use, describe its structure, chemical toolset and methods of extraction, overview and differentiate keratins obtained from different sources, highlight the main areas where keratin associations have been applied, and describe the possibilities offered by its chemical toolset. Finally, we contextualize keratin's potential for addressing current issues in materials sciences, focusing on the effect of keratin when associated to other polymers' matrices from biomedical to engineering applications, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo K. Donato
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Institute of Chemistry of Nice, UMR CNRS 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice CEDEX 2, France
| | - Alice Mija
- Institute of Chemistry of Nice, UMR CNRS 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice CEDEX 2, France
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20
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Breakspear S, Noecker B, Popescu C. Relevance and Evaluation of Hydrogen and Disulfide Bond Contribution to the Mechanics of Hard α-Keratin Fibers. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:4505-4511. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Breakspear
- Kao European Research Laboratories, KAO Germany GmbH, Pfungstaedter Str. 98-100, D-64297 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bernd Noecker
- Kao European Research Laboratories, KAO Germany GmbH, Pfungstaedter Str. 98-100, D-64297 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Crisan Popescu
- Kao European Research Laboratories, KAO Germany GmbH, Pfungstaedter Str. 98-100, D-64297 Darmstadt, Germany
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21
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Huang W, Yaraghi NA, Yang W, Velazquez-Olivera A, Li Z, Ritchie RO, Kisailus D, Stover SM, McKittrick J. A natural energy absorbent polymer composite: The equine hoof wall. Acta Biomater 2019; 90:267-277. [PMID: 30951896 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The equine hoof has been considered as an efficient energy absorption layer that protects the skeletal elements from impact when galloping. In the present study, the hierarchical structure of a fresh equine hoof wall and the energy absorption mechanisms are investigated. Tubules are found embedded in the intertubular matrix forming the hoof wall at the microscale. Both tubules and intertubular areas consist of keratin cells, in which keratin crystalline intermediate filaments (IFs) and amorphous keratin fill the cytoskeletons. Cell sizes, shapes and IF fractions are different between tubular and intertubular regions. The structural differences between tubular and intertubular areas are correlated to the mechanical behavior of this material tested in dry, fresh and fully hydrated conditions. The stiffness and hardness in the tubule areas are higher than that in the intertubular areas in the dry and fresh samples when loaded along the hoof wall; however, once the samples are fully hydrated, the intertubular areas become stiffer than the tubular areas due to higher water absorption in these regions. The compression behavior of hoof in different loading speed and directions are also examined, with the isotropy and strain-rate dependence of mechanical properties documented. In the hoof walls, mechanistically the tubules serve as a reinforcement, which act to support the entire wall and prevent catastrophic failure under compression and impact loading. Elastic buckling and cracking of the tubules are observed after compression along the hoof wall, and no shear-banding or severe cracks are found in the intertubular areas even after 60% compression, indicating the highly efficient energy absorption properties, without failure, of the hoof wall structure. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The equine hoof wall is found to be an efficient energy absorbent natural polymer composite. Previous studies showed the microstructure and mechanical properties of the hoof wall in some perspective. However, the hierarchical structure of equine hoof wall from nano- to macro-scale as well as the energy absorption mechanisms at different strain rates and loading orientations remains unclear. The current study provides a thorough characterization of the hierarchical structure as well as the correlation between structure and mechanical behaviors. Energy dissipation mechanisms are also identified. The findings in the current research could provide inspirations on the designs of impact resistant and energy absorbent materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas A Yaraghi
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Wen Yang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Alexis Velazquez-Olivera
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Zezhou Li
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Robert O Ritchie
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - David Kisailus
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States; Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Susan M Stover
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Joanna McKittrick
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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22
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Bernards MA, Schorno S, McKenzie E, Winegard TM, Oke I, Plachetzki D, Fudge DS. Unraveling inter-species differences in hagfish slime skein deployment. J Exp Biol 2018; 221:221/24/jeb176925. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.176925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Hagfishes defend themselves from fish predators by producing defensive slime consisting of mucous and thread components that interact synergistically with seawater to pose a suffocation risk to their attackers. Deployment of the slime occurs in a fraction of a second and involves hydration of mucous vesicles as well as unraveling of the coiled threads to their full length of ∼150 mm. Previous work showed that unraveling of coiled threads (or ‘skeins’) in Atlantic hagfish requires vigorous mixing with seawater as well as the presence of mucus, whereas skeins from Pacific hagfish tend to unravel spontaneously in seawater. Here, we explored the mechanisms that underlie these different unraveling modes, and focused on the molecules that make up the skein glue, a material that must be disrupted for unraveling to proceed. We found that Atlantic hagfish skeins are also held together with a protein glue, but compared with Pacific hagfish glue, it is less soluble in seawater. Using SDS-PAGE, we identified several soluble proteins and glycoproteins that are liberated from skeins under conditions that drive unraveling in vitro. Peptides generated by mass spectrometry of five of these proteins and glycoproteins mapped strongly to 14 sequences assembled from Pacific hagfish slime gland transcriptomes, with all but one of these sequences possessing homologs in the Atlantic hagfish. Two of these sequences encode unusual acidic proteins that we propose are the structural glycoproteins that make up the skein glue. These sequences have no known homologs in other species and are likely to be unique to hagfishes. Although the ecological significance of the two modes of skein unraveling described here are unknown, they may reflect differences in predation pressure, with selection for faster skein unraveling in the Eptatretus lineage leading to the evolution of a glue that is more soluble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Bernards
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Sarah Schorno
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Evan McKenzie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Timothy M. Winegard
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - Isdin Oke
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - David Plachetzki
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Douglas S. Fudge
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA
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23
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Keratinization and mucogenesis in the epidermis of an angler catfish Chaca chaca (Siluriformes, Chacidae): A Histochemical and fluorescence microscope investigation. ZOOLOGY 2018; 131:10-19. [PMID: 30502823 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study describes keratinization and mucogenesis in the epidermis of an angler catfish Chaca chaca, using a series of immunochemical, fluorescence and histochemical methods. The epidermis is primarily mucogenic and shows characteristic specialised structures at irregular intervals. These structures are identified keratinized in nature. The superficial layer epithelial cells in the keratinized structures often detach from the underlying epithelial cells and exfoliate either singly or in the form of sheet. This is associated to provide protection by removing silty depositions, pathogens, and debris along with exfoliated keratinized cells/sheets periodically to keep the skin surface clean. Mucogenic epidermis is equipped with the mucous goblet cells and the club cells. Nevertheless, these cells are not discernible in the keratinized structures. This suggests an inverse relationship between mucogenesis and keratinization in the epidermis of the fish. The mucogenic epidermis is involved in the secretion of different classes of glycoproteins. These include glycoproteins with oxidizable vicinal diols, glycoproteins with O-sulphate esters and glycoproteins with sialic acid residues without O-acyl substitution. Secretion of these glycoproteins on the surface are associated to control the acidity of the acidic glycoproteins, to protect the skin surface against bacterial, viral infection and other pathogens, and help in lubrication to protect against abrasion during burrowing. Epidermal keratinization and glycoprotein characterization are associated with the physiological adaptations in relation to the characteristic habit and habitat of the fish.
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24
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Böni LJ, Sanchez-Ferrer A, Widmer M, Biviano MD, Mezzenga R, Windhab EJ, Dagastine RR, Fischer P. Structure and Nanomechanics of Dry and Hydrated Intermediate Filament Films and Fibers Produced from Hagfish Slime Fibers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:40460-40473. [PMID: 30371056 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b17166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are known for their extensibility, flexibility, toughness, and their ability to hydrate. Using keratin-like IFs obtained from slime fibers from the invertebrate Atlantic hagfish ( Myxine glutinosa), films were produced by drop-casting and coagulation on the surface of a MgCl2 buffer. Drop-casting produced self-supporting, smooth, and dense films rich in β-sheets (61%), whereas coagulation formed thin, porous films with a nanorough surface and a lower β-sheet content (51%). The films hydrated and swelled immediately when immersed in water and did not dissolve. X-ray diffraction showed that the β-crystallites remained stable upon hydration, that swelling presumably happens in the amorphous C-terminal tail-domains of the IFs, and that high salt conditions caused a denser network mesh size, suggesting polyelectrolyte behavior. Hydration resulted in a roughly 1000-fold decrease in apparent Young's modulus from 109 to 106 Pa as revealed by atomic force microscopy nanoindentation. Nanoindentation-based power-law rheology and stress-relaxation measurements indicated viscoelasticity and a soft-solid hydrogel character for hydrated films, where roughly 80% of energy is elastically stored and 20% is dissipated. By pulling coagulation films from the buffer interface, macroscopic fibers with highly aligned IF β-crystals similar to natural hagfish fibers were produced. We propose that viscoelasticity and strong hydrogen bonding interactions with the buffer interface are crucial for the production of such long biomimetic fibers with aligned β-sheets. This study demonstrates that hagfish fiber IFs can be reconstituted into functional biomimetic materials that are stiff when dry and retain the ability to hydrate to become soft and viscoelastic when in water.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M D Biviano
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , University of Melbourne , Melbourne 3010 , Australia
| | | | | | - R R Dagastine
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , University of Melbourne , Melbourne 3010 , Australia
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25
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Böni LJ, Zurflüh R, Baumgartner ME, Windhab EJ, Fischer P, Kuster S, Rühs PA. Effect of ionic strength and seawater cations on hagfish slime formation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9867. [PMID: 29959378 PMCID: PMC6026207 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27975-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The defensive slime of hagfish consists of a polyanionic mucin hydrogel that synergistically interacts with a fiber network forming a coherent and elastic hydrogel in high ionic strength seawater. In seawater, the slime deploys in less than a second entrapping large quantities of water by a well-timed thread skein unravelling and mucous gel swelling. This rapid and vast hydrogel formation is intriguing, as high ionic strength conditions generally counteract the swelling speed and ratio of polyelectrolyte hydrogels. In this work we investigate the effect of ionic strength and seawater cations on slime formation dynamics and functionality. In the absence of ionic strength skeins swell radially and unravel uncontrolled, probably causing tangling and creating a confined thread network that entraps limited water. At high ionic strength skeins unravel, but create a collapsed and dense fiber network. High ionic strength conditions therefore seem crucial for controlled skein unraveling, however not sufficient for water retention. Only the presence of naturally occurring Ca2+ or Mg2+-ions allowed for an expanded network and full water retention probably due to Ca2+-mediated vesicle rupture and cross-linking of the mucin. Our study demonstrates that hagfish slime deployment is a well-timed, ionic-strength, and divalent-cation dependent dynamic hydrogel formation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Böni
- Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - R Zurflüh
- Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - M E Baumgartner
- Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - E J Windhab
- Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - P Fischer
- Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - S Kuster
- Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - P A Rühs
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Bioengineering and Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, 94720-1760, USA
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26
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Shavandi A, Silva TH, Bekhit AA, Bekhit AEDA. Keratin: dissolution, extraction and biomedical application. Biomater Sci 2018; 5:1699-1735. [PMID: 28686242 DOI: 10.1039/c7bm00411g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Keratinous materials such as wool, feathers and hooves are tough unique biological co-products that usually have high sulfur and protein contents. A high cystine content (7-13%) differentiates keratins from other structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin. Dissolution and extraction of keratin is a difficult process compared to other natural polymers, such as chitosan, starch, collagen, and a large-scale use of keratin depends on employing a relatively fast, cost-effective and time efficient extraction method. Keratin has some inherent ability to facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, and regeneration of the tissue, therefore keratin biomaterials can provide a biocompatible matrix for regrowth and regeneration of the defective tissue. Additionally, due to its amino acid constituents, keratin can be tailored and finely tuned to meet the exact requirement of degradation, drug release or incorporation of different hydrophobic or hydrophilic tails. This review discusses the various methods available for the dissolution and extraction of keratin with emphasis on their advantages and limitations. The impacts of various methods and chemicals used on the structure and the properties of keratin are discussed with the aim of highlighting options available toward commercial keratin production. This review also reports the properties of various keratin-based biomaterials and critically examines how these materials are influenced by the keratin extraction procedure, discussing the features that make them effective as biomedical applications, as well as some of the mechanisms of action and physiological roles of keratin. Particular attention is given to the practical application of keratin biomaterials, namely addressing the advantages and limitations on the use of keratin films, 3D composite scaffolds and keratin hydrogels for tissue engineering, wound healing, hemostatic and controlled drug release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Shavandi
- Center for Materials Science and Technology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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27
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Minin KA, Zhmurov A, Marx KA, Purohit PK, Barsegov V. Dynamic Transition from α-Helices to β-Sheets in Polypeptide Coiled-Coil Motifs. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:16168-16177. [PMID: 29043794 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b06883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We carried out dynamic force manipulations in silico on a variety of coiled-coil protein fragments from myosin, chemotaxis receptor, vimentin, fibrin, and phenylalanine zippers that vary in size and topology of their α-helical packing. When stretched along the superhelical axis, all superhelices show elastic, plastic, and inelastic elongation regimes and undergo a dynamic transition from the α-helices to the β-sheets, which marks the onset of plastic deformation. Using the Abeyaratne-Knowles formulation of phase transitions, we developed a new theoretical methodology to model mechanical and kinetic properties of protein coiled-coils under mechanical nonequilibrium conditions and to map out their energy landscapes. The theory was successfully validated by comparing the simulated and theoretical force-strain spectra. We derived the scaling laws for the elastic force and the force for α-to-β transition, which can be used to understand natural proteins' properties as well as to rationally design novel biomaterials of required mechanical strength with desired balance between stiffness and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A Minin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia
| | - Artem Zhmurov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia
| | - Kenneth A Marx
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Prashant K Purohit
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Valeri Barsegov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia.,Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts , Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
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The assembly of C. elegans lamins into macroscopic fibers. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2016; 63:35-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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The global mechanical properties and multi-scale failure mechanics of heterogeneous human stratum corneum. Acta Biomater 2016; 43:78-87. [PMID: 27431879 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The outermost layer of skin, or stratum corneum, regulates water loss and protects underlying living tissue from environmental pathogens and insults. With cracking, chapping or the formation of exudative lesions, this functionality is lost. While stratum corneum exhibits well defined global mechanical properties, macroscopic mechanical testing techniques used to measure them ignore the structural heterogeneity of the tissue and cannot provide any mechanistic insight into tissue fracture. As such, a mechanistic understanding of failure in this soft tissue is lacking. This insight is critical to predicting fracture risk associated with age or disease. In this study, we first quantify previously unreported global mechanical properties of isolated stratum corneum including the Poisson's ratio and mechanical toughness. African American breast stratum corneum is used for all assessments. We show these parameters are highly dependent on the ambient humidity to which samples are equilibrated. A multi-scale investigation assessing the influence of structural heterogeneities on the microscale nucleation and propagation of cracks is then performed. At the mesoscale, spatially resolved equivalent strain fields within uniaxially stretched stratum corneum samples exhibit a striking heterogeneity, with localized peaks correlating closely with crack nucleation sites. Subsequent crack propagation pathways follow inherent topographical features in the tissue and lengthen with increased tissue hydration. At the microscale, intact corneocytes and polygonal shaped voids at crack interfaces highlight that cracks propagate in superficial cell layers primarily along intercellular junctions. Cellular fracture does occur however, but is uncommon. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Human stratum corneum protects the body against harmful environmental pathogens and insults. Upon mechanical failure, this barrier function is lost. Previous studies characterizing the mechanics of stratum corneum have used macroscopic testing equipment designed for homogenous materials. Such measurements ignore the tissue's rich topography and heterogeneous structure, and cannot describe the underlying mechanistic process of tissue failure. For the first time, we establish a mechanistic insight into the failure mechanics of soft heterogeneous tissues by investigating how cracks nucleate and propagate in stratum corneum. We further quantify previously unreported values of the tissue's Poisson's ratio and toughness, and their dramatic variation with ambient humidity. To date, skin models examining drug delivery, wound healing, and ageing continue to estimate these parameters.
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Naleway SE, Taylor JR, Porter MM, Meyers MA, McKittrick J. Structure and mechanical properties of selected protective systems in marine organisms. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2016; 59:1143-1167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Fiber-Enforced Hydrogels: Hagfish Slime Stabilized with Biopolymers including κ-Carrageenan. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2015; 2:90-95. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5b00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Naleway SE, Porter MM, McKittrick J, Meyers MA. Structural Design Elements in Biological Materials: Application to Bioinspiration. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2015; 27:5455-76. [PMID: 26305858 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201502403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Eight structural elements in biological materials are identified as the most common amongst a variety of animal taxa. These are proposed as a new paradigm in the field of biological materials science as they can serve as a toolbox for rationalizing the complex mechanical behavior of structural biological materials and for systematizing the development of bioinspired designs for structural applications. They are employed to improve the mechanical properties, namely strength, wear resistance, stiffness, flexibility, fracture toughness, and energy absorption of different biological materials for a variety of functions (e.g., body support, joint movement, impact protection, weight reduction). The structural elements identified are: fibrous, helical, gradient, layered, tubular, cellular, suture, and overlapping. For each of the structural design elements, critical design parameters are presented along with constitutive equations with a focus on mechanical properties. Additionally, example organisms from varying biological classes are presented for each case to display the wide variety of environments where each of these elements is present. Examples of current bioinspired materials are also introduced for each element.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Naleway
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA
| | - Michael M Porter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Joanna McKittrick
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA
| | - Marc A Meyers
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0411, USA
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Abstract
Hagfishes thwart attacks by fish predators by producing liters of defensive slime. The slime is produced when slime gland exudate is released into the predator's mouth, where it deploys in a fraction of a second and clogs the gills. Slime exudate is composed mainly of secretory products from two cell types, gland mucous cells and gland thread cells, which produce the mucous and fibrous components of the slime, respectively. Here, we review what is known about the composition of the slime, morphology of the slime gland, and physiology of the cells that produce the slime. We also discuss several of the mechanisms involved in the deployment of both mucous and thread cells during the transition from thick glandular exudate to ultradilute material. We review biomechanical aspects of the slime, along with recent efforts to produce biomimetic slime thread analogs, and end with a discussion of how hagfish slime may have evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S. Fudge
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sarah Schorno
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Shannon Ferraro
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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35
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Quinlan RA, Bromley EH, Pohl E. A silk purse from a sow's ear-bioinspired materials based on α-helical coiled coils. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2015; 32:131-7. [PMID: 25638492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This past few years have heralded remarkable times for intermediate filaments with new revelations of their structural properties that has included the first crystallographic-based model of vimentin to build on the experimental data of intra-filament interactions determined by chemical cross-linking. Now with these and other advances on their assembly, their biomechanical and their cell biological properties outlined in this review, the exploitation of the biomechanical and structural properties of intermediate filaments, their nanocomposites and biomimetic derivatives in the biomedical and private sectors has started.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A Quinlan
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; Biophysical Sciences Institute, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
| | - Elizabeth H Bromley
- Biophysical Sciences Institute, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Physics, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Ehmke Pohl
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; Biophysical Sciences Institute, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, The University of Durham, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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36
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Baraldi A, Jones SA, Guesné S, Traynor MJ, McAuley WJ, Brown MB, Murdan S. Human nail plate modifications induced by onychomycosis: implications for topical therapy. Pharm Res 2014; 32:1626-33. [PMID: 25416028 PMCID: PMC4381097 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-014-1562-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Through the characterisation of the human onchomycotic nail plate this study aimed to inform the design of new topical ungual formulations. METHODS The mechanical properties of the human nail were characterised using a Lloyd tensile strength tester. The nail's density was determined via pycnometry and the nail's ultrastructure by electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy analysed the keratin disulphide bonds within the nail and its permeability properties were assessed by quantifying water and rhodamine uptake. RESULTS Chronic in vivo nail plate infection increased human nailplate thickness (healthy 0.49 ± 0.15 mm; diseased 1.20 ± 0.67 mm), but reduced its tensile strength (healthy 63.7 ± 13.4 MPa; diseased 41.7 ± 5.0 MPa) and density (healthy 1.34 ± 0.01 g/cm(3); diseased 1.29 ± 0.00 g/cm(3)). Onchomycosis caused cell-cell separation, without disrupting the nail disulfide bonds or desmosomes. The diseased and healthy nails showed equivalent water uptake profiles, but the rhodamine penetration was 4-fold higher in the diseased nails using a PBS vehicle and 3 -fold higher in an ethanol/PBS vehicle. CONCLUSIONS Onchomycotic nails presented a thicker but more porous barrier, and its eroded intracellular matrix rendered the tissue more permeable to topically applied chemicals when an aqueous vehicle was used.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Baraldi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29 -39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
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Histological and histochemical investigations of the pharyngeal jaw apparatus of a carp Cirrhinus mrigala. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:421-34. [PMID: 24103525 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The histological organization and histochemical aspects of the pharyngeal jaw apparatus of the Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala are described. The pharyngeal jaw apparatus consists of a lower pharyngeal jaw and a chewing pad. Histochemical analysis reveals that the epithelium covering the lower pharyngeal jaw is mucogenic and is involved in the secretion of different classes of glycoproteins (GPs) including GPs with oxidizable vicinal diols, GPs with O-sulphate esters and GPs with sialic acid residues with and without O-acyl substitution. Characteristically, the epithelium at irregular intervals is differentiated into simple or branched tubular pharyngeal glands, which often extend deep into the sub-epithelial tissues. Copious mucus secretion from pharyngeal glands may be associated with transportation of chewed food particles toward the esophagus. Histochemistry and fluorescence microscopy show that the epithelium covering the chewing pad is keratinized. The keratinized surface of the chewing pad may be considered to serve as an occlusion surface for the lower pharyngeal jaw teeth forming an efficient pharyngeal mill for chewing food materials.
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Pinto N, Yang FC, Negishi A, Rheinstädter MC, Gillis TE, Fudge DS. Self-Assembly Enhances the Strength of Fibers Made from Vimentin Intermediate Filament Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:574-81. [DOI: 10.1021/bm401600a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pinto
- Department
of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Fei-Chi Yang
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Atsuko Negishi
- Department
of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Maikel C. Rheinstädter
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Todd E. Gillis
- Department
of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Douglas S. Fudge
- Department
of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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39
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Wasko SS, Tay GZ, Schwaighofer A, Nowak C, Waite JH, Miserez A. Structural proteins from whelk egg capsule with long range elasticity associated with a solid-state phase transition. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:30-42. [PMID: 24350603 DOI: 10.1021/bm401598z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The robust, proteinaceous egg capsules of marine prosobranch gastropods (genus Busycotypus ) exhibit unique biomechanical properties such as high elastic strain recovery and elastic energy dissipation capability. Capsule material possesses long-range extensibility that is fully recoverable and is the result of a secondary structure phase transition from α-helical coiled-coil to extended β-sheet rather than of entropic (rubber) elasticity. We report here the characterization of the precursor proteins that make up this material. Three different proteins have been purified and analyzed, and complete protein sequences deduced from messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcripts. Circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicate that the proteins are strongly α-helical in solution and primary sequence analysis suggests that these proteins have a propensity to form coiled-coils. This is in agreement with previous wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and solid-state Raman spectroscopic analysis of mature egg capsules.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Scott Wasko
- Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering Program, University of California , Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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40
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Zhang QB, Li C, Pan YT, Shan GH, Cao P, He J, Lin ZS, Ao NJ, Huang YX. Microstructure and mechanical properties of horns derived from three domestic bovines. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2013; 33:5036-43. [PMID: 24094221 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2013.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The microstructure and mechanical properties of horns derived from three domestic bovines (buffalo, cattle and sheep) were examined. The effects of water content, sampling position and orientation of three bovid horns on mechanical properties were systematically investigated by uniaxial tension and micron indentation tests. Meanwhile, the material composition and metal element contents were determined by Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis respectively, and the microstructures of the horns were measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that the mechanical properties of horns have negative correlation with water contents and depend on sampling position and orientation. The spatial variations of the mechanical properties in horns are attributed to the different keratinization degrees in the proximal, middle and distal parts. And the mechanical properties of horns in the longitudinal direction are better than those in transverse. Among the three kinds of horns, the mechanical properties of buffalo horn are the best, followed by cattle horn, and those in sheep horn are the worst. This is due to the differences in material composition, metal element, and the microstructures of the horns. But the mechanical properties of buffalo horns are not dependent on the source of the buffalo. Therefore, regular engineered buffalo keratinous materials with standard mechanical properties can be obtained from different buffalo horns by using proper preparation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan-bin Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
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41
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Kim BS, Park KE, Park WH, Lee J. Fabrication of nanofibrous scaffold using a PLA and hagfish thread keratin composite; its effect on cell adherence, growth, and osteoblast differentiation. Biomed Mater 2013; 8:045006. [DOI: 10.1088/1748-6041/8/4/045006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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42
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Pinto SJ, Shadwick RE. Material and structural properties of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Zwischensubstanz. J Morphol 2013; 274:947-55. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Revised: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheldon J.D. Pinto
- Department of Zoology; University of British Columbia; 6270 University Blvd.; Vancouver; British Columbia; V6T 1Z4; Canada
| | - Robert E. Shadwick
- Department of Zoology; University of British Columbia; 6270 University Blvd.; Vancouver; British Columbia; V6T 1Z4; Canada
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44
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Miserez A, Guerette PA. Phase transition-induced elasticity of α-helical bioelastomeric fibres and networks. Chem Soc Rev 2013; 42:1973-95. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35294j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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45
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Greenberg DA, Fudge DS. Regulation of hard α-keratin mechanics via control of intermediate filament hydration: matrix squeeze revisited. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 280:20122158. [PMID: 23135675 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian hard α-keratins are fibre-reinforced biomaterials that consist of 10 nm intermediate filaments (IFs) embedded in an elastomeric protein matrix. Recent work suggests that the mechanical properties of IFs are highly sensitive to hydration, whereas hard α-keratins such as wool, hair and nail are relatively hydration insensitive. This raises the question of how mammalian keratins remain stiff in water. The matrix squeeze hypothesis states that the IFs in hard α-keratins are stiffened during an air-drying step during keratinization, and subsequently locked into a dehydrated state via the oxidation and cross-linking of the keratin matrix around them. The result is that even when hard α-keratins are immersed in water, their constituent IFs remain essentially 'dry' and therefore stiff. This hypothesis makes several predictions about the effects of matrix abundance and function on hard α-keratin mechanics and swelling behaviour. Specifically, it predicts that high matrix keratins in water will swell less, and have a higher tensile modulus, a higher yield stress and a lower dry-to-wet modulus ratio. It also predicts that disruption of the keratin matrix in water should lead to additional swelling, and a drop in modulus and yield stress. Our results are consistent with these predictions and suggest that the keratin matrix plays a critical role in governing the mechanical properties of mammalian keratins via control of IF hydration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Greenberg
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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46
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Chou CC, Buehler MJ. Structure and mechanical properties of human trichocyte keratin intermediate filament protein. Biomacromolecules 2012; 13:3522-32. [PMID: 22963508 DOI: 10.1021/bm301254u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Keratin is a protein in the intermediate filament family and the key component of hair, nail, and skin. Here we report a bottom-up atomistic model of the keratin dimer, using the complete human keratin type k35 and k85 amino acid sequence. A detailed analysis of geometric and mechanical properties through full-atomistic simulation with validation against experimental results is presented. We introduce disulfide cross-links in a keratin tetramer and compare the mechanical behavior of the disulfide bonded systems with a system without disulfide bonds. Disulfide bond results in a higher strength (20% increase) and toughness (49% increase), but the system loses α-helical structures under loading, suggesting that disulfide bonds play a significant role in achieving the characteristic mechanical properties of trichocyte α-keratin. Our study provides general insight into the effect of disulfide cross-link on mechanical properties. Moreover, the availability of an atomistic model of this protein opens the possibility to study the mechanical properties of hair fibrils and other fibers from a bottom-up perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ching Chou
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 1-235A,B, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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47
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Fortier P, Suei S, Kreplak L. Nanoscale strain-hardening of keratin fibres. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41814. [PMID: 22848616 PMCID: PMC3404990 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian appendages such as hair, quill and wool have a unique structure composed of a cuticle, a cortex and a medulla. The cortex, responsible for the mechanical properties of the fibers, is an assemblage of spindle-shaped keratinized cells bound together by a lipid/protein sandwich called the cell membrane complex. Each cell is itself an assembly of macrofibrils around 300 nm in diameter that are paracrystalline arrays of keratin intermediate filaments embedded in a sulfur-rich protein matrix. Each macrofibril is also attached to its neighbors by a cell membrane complex. In this study, we combined atomic force microscopy based nano-indentation with peak-force imaging to study the nanomechanical properties of macrofibrils perpendicular to their axis. For indentation depths in the 200 to 500 nm range we observed a decrease of the dynamic elastic modulus at 1 Hz with increasing depth. This yielded an estimate of 1.6GPa for the lateral modulus at 1 Hz of porcupine quill’s macrofibrils. Using the same data we also estimated the dynamic elastic modulus at 1 Hz of the cell membrane complex surrounding each macrofibril, i.e., 13GPa. A similar estimate was obtained independently through elastic maps of the macrofibrils surface obtained in peak-force mode at 1 kHz. Furthermore, the macrofibrillar texture of the cortical cells was clearly identified on the elasticity maps, with the boundaries between macrofibrils being 40–50% stiffer than the macrofibrils themselves. Elasticity maps after indentation also revealed a local increase in dynamic elastic modulus over time indicative of a relaxation induced strain hardening that could be explained in term of a α-helix to β-sheet transition within the macrofibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Fortier
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Sandy Suei
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Laurent Kreplak
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- * E-mail:
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48
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Harrington MJ, Wasko SS, Masic A, Fischer FD, Gupta HS, Fratzl P. Pseudoelastic behaviour of a natural material is achieved via reversible changes in protein backbone conformation. J R Soc Interface 2012; 9:2911-22. [PMID: 22696489 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2012.0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The egg capsules of marine prosobranch gastropods, commonly know as whelks, function as a protective encapsulant for whelk embryos in wave-swept marine environments. The proteinaceous sheets comprising the wall of whelk egg capsules (WEC) exhibit long-range reversible extensibility with a hysteresis of up to 50 per cent, previously suggested to result from reversible changes in the structure of the constituent protein building blocks. Here, we further investigate the structural changes of the WEC biopolymer at various hierarchical levels using several different time-resolved in situ approaches. We find strong evidence in these biological polymers for a strain-induced reversible transition from an ordered conformational phase to a largely disordered one that leads to the characteristic reversible hysteretic behaviour, which is reminiscent of the pseudoelastic behaviour in some metallic alloys. On the basis of these results, we generate a simple numerical model incorporating a worm-like chain equation to explain the phase transition behaviour of the WEC at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Harrington
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Wissenschaftspark Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany.
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49
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Zabashta YF, Kasprova AV, Senchurov SP, Grabovskii YE. The location of the thioglycolic acid molecules in intrafibrillar unordered areas of the human hair keratin structure. Int J Cosmet Sci 2012; 34:223-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00707.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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50
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Miserez A, Li Y, Cagnon J, Weaver JC, Waite JH. Four-stranded coiled-coil elastic protein in the byssus of the giant clam, Tridacna maxima. Biomacromolecules 2012; 13:332-41. [PMID: 22181348 DOI: 10.1021/bm2013394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An elastic protein with a secondary structure distinct from all well-known load-bearing proteins is found in the byssus of the giant clam, Tridacna maxima . The byssus consists of a bundle of hundreds of individual threads, each measuring about about 100 μm in diameter, which exhibit a tendon-like mechanical response. The amino acid composition of Tridacna byssus, however, is unlike tendon collagen, lacking high glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements suggest that the constituent nanofibrils of the byssal threads are distinct from known secondary structure motifs previously reported for elastic proteins including the collagen triple-helix, the β-sheet nanocrystalline domains of silks, or the double-stranded coiled-coil regions of intermediate filaments. Instead, X-ray diffraction data indicate a structural organization in which four coiled-coil α-helices form a stable rope-like structure, which then further pack in a pseudohexagonal lattice to form nanofibrils. Amino acid composition analysis shows unusually high concentrations of acidic as well as basic residues, suggesting that the four-helix structure is stabilized by strong ionic interactions between oppositely charged residues in neighboring strands. The composition also suggests additional stabilization by disulfide cross-linking. On a larger scale, scanning and conventional transmission electron microscope (STEM and TEM) observations indicate that the nanofibrils exhibit an alternating periodicity of about 500 nm along the axial direction. A molecular model that combines the mechanical properties with the structural characteristics of the Tridacna byssal threads is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Miserez
- Schools of Materials Science and Engineering and Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798.
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