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Abstract
Gastropods forage with their radula, a thin chitinous membrane with embedded teeth, which scratch across the substrate to lose food particles. During this interaction, the risk of loosening particles is obvious without having a specialized mechanism holding them on the tooth surface. As mucus secretions are essential in molluscan life cycles and the locomotion and attachment gels are known to have an instant high adhesion, we have hypothesized that the saliva could support particle retention during feeding. As adhesion of snail saliva was not studied before, we present here an experimental setup to test its particle-binding capacity using a large land snail (Lissachatina fulica, Stylommatophora, Heterobranchia). This experiment was also applied to the gels produced by the snail foot for comparison and can be potentially applied to various fluids present at a small volume in the future. We found, that the saliva has high particle retention capacity that is comparable to the foot glue of the snail. To gain some insight into the properties of the saliva, we additionally studied it in the scanning electron microscope, estimated its viscosity in a de-wetting experiment, and investigated its elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveling higher contents of Ca, Zn and other potential cross-linkers similar to those found in the glue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencke Krings
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, Universität Leipzig, Liebigstraße 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Mammalogy and Palaeoanthropology, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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2
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Liegertová M, Malý J. Gastropod Mucus: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biological Activities, Applications, and Strategic Priorities. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5567-5579. [PMID: 37751898 PMCID: PMC10566510 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial gastropod mucus exhibits multifunctional attributes, enabling diverse applications. This comprehensive review integrates insights across biomedicine, biotechnology, and intellectual property to elucidate the bioactivities, physicochemical properties, and ecological roles of snail and slug mucus. Following an overview of mucus functional roles in gastropods, promising applications are highlighted in wound healing, antimicrobials, biomaterials, and cosmetics, alongside key challenges. An analysis of global patent trends reveals surging innovation efforts to leverage gastropod mucus. Strategic priorities include bioprospecting natural diversity, optimizing stabilization systems, recombinant biosynthesis, and fostering collaboration to translate promising potentials sustainably into impactful technologies. Ultimately, harnessing the remarkable multifunctionality of gastropod mucus holds immense opportunities for transformative innovations in biomedicine, biotechnology, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Liegertová
- Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Malý
- Centre of Nanomaterials and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3632/15, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
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3
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McDermott M, Cerullo AR, Parziale J, Achrak E, Sultana S, Ferd J, Samad S, Deng W, Braunschweig AB, Holford M. Advancing Discovery of Snail Mucins Function and Application. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:734023. [PMID: 34708024 PMCID: PMC8542881 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.734023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucins are a highly glycosylated protein family that are secreted by animals for adhesion, hydration, lubrication, and other functions. Despite their ubiquity, animal mucins are largely uncharacterized. Snails produce mucin proteins in their mucous for a wide array of biological functions, including microbial protection, adhesion and lubrication. Recently, snail mucins have also become a lucrative source of innovation with wide ranging applications across chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. Specifically, snail mucuses have been applied as skin care products, wound healing agents, surgical glues, and to combat gastric ulcers. Recent advances in integrated omics (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, glycomic) technologies have improved the characterization of gastropod mucins, increasing the generation of novel biomaterials. This perspective describes the current research on secreted snail mucus, highlighting the potential of this biopolymer, and also outlines a research strategy to fulfill the unmet need of examining the hierarchical structures that lead to the enormous biological and chemical diversity of snail mucus genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell McDermott
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Antonio R Cerullo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - James Parziale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eleonora Achrak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sharmin Sultana
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jennifer Ferd
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Safiyah Samad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - William Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Adam B Braunschweig
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States.,Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of New York, Graduate Department of Biochemistry, New York, NY, United States.,PhD Programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mandë Holford
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, New York, NY, United States.,PhD Programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,PhD Program in Biology Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Invertebrate Zoology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, United States
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Marczynski M, Lieleg O. Forgotten but not gone: Particulate matter as contaminations of mucosal systems. Biophys Rev (Melville) 2021; 2:031302. [PMID: 38505633 PMCID: PMC10903497 DOI: 10.1063/5.0054075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
A decade ago, environmental issues, such as air pollution and the contamination of the oceans with microplastic, were prominently communicated in the media. However, these days, political topics, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have clearly taken over. In spite of this shift in focus regarding media representation, researchers have made progress in evaluating the possible health risks associated with particulate contaminations present in water and air. In this review article, we summarize recent efforts that establish a clear link between the increasing occurrence of certain pathological conditions and the exposure of humans (or animals) to airborne or waterborne particulate matter. First, we give an overview of the physiological functions mucus has to fulfill in humans and animals, and we discuss different sources of particulate matter. We then highlight parameters that govern particle toxicity and summarize our current knowledge of how an exposure to particulate matter can be related to dysfunctions of mucosal systems. Last, we outline how biophysical tools and methods can help researchers to obtain a better understanding of how particulate matter may affect human health. As we discuss here, recent research has made it quite clear that the structure and functions of those mucosal systems are sensitive toward particulate contaminations. Yet, our mechanistic understanding of how (and which) nano- and microparticles can compromise human health via interacting with mucosal barriers is far from complete.
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5
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Gould J, Valdez JW. Terrestrial slug uses a vertical bridge of mucus to descend rapidly from heights. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John Gould
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales2308Australia
| | - Jose W. Valdez
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
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6
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Durso AM, Neuman-Lee LA, Hopkins GR, Brodie ED. Stable isotope analysis suggests that tetrodotoxin-resistant Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) rarely feed on newts in the wild. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxin-resistant predators may suffer costs from eating chemically defended prey and do not feed exclusively on toxic prey. Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis (Linnaeus, 1758)) have been considered the drivers of an evolutionary arms race with highly toxic newts (genus Taricha Gray, 1850), which they consume with few or no deleterious effects. However, how frequently newts are consumed in nature is less clear. To address this question, we investigated the diets of Th. sirtalis at a site in central Oregon where snakes have high levels of resistance and newts have high levels of tetrodotoxin in the skin. Because snake diets are difficult to quantify using traditional means, we used stable isotopes to estimate the proportion of Th. sirtalis diets made up of newts. Our estimate for the proportion of Th. sirtalis diet made up of Rough-skinned Newts (Taricha granulosa (Skilton, 1849)) at this site is 3.2%. Mole Salamanders (genus Ambystoma Tschudi, 1838) were predicted to be the most important prey, followed by slugs, chorus frogs, and mice, with a very minor role for earthworms. Our results demonstrate that even though Th. sirtalis are physiologically capable of consuming toxic prey, they do not often do so. Generalist predators can be exposed to very strong selection from, and exert reciprocal selection on even rarely eaten, chemically defended prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Durso
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL 33965, USA
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Lorin A. Neuman-Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72404, USA
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Gareth R. Hopkins
- Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR 97361, USA
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Edmund D. Brodie
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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7
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Ahn SJ, Mc Donnell RJ, Corcoran JA, Martin RC, Choi MY. Identification and functional characterization of the first molluscan neuromedin U receptor in the slug, Deroceras reticulatum. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22308. [PMID: 33339848 PMCID: PMC7749107 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79047-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NmU) is a neuropeptide regulating diverse physiological processes. The insect homologs of vertebrate NmU are categorized as PRXamide family peptides due to their conserved C-terminal end. However, NmU homologs have been elusive in Mollusca, the second largest phylum in the animal kingdom. Here we report the first molluscan NmU/PRXamide receptor from the slug, Deroceras reticulatum. Two splicing variants of the receptor gene were functionally expressed and tested for binding with ten endogenous peptides from the slug and some insect PRXamide and vertebrate NmU peptides. Three heptapeptides (QPPLPRYa, QPPVPRYa and AVPRPRIa) triggered significant activation of the receptors, suggesting that they are true ligands for the NmU/PRXamide receptor in the slug. Synthetic peptides with structural modifications at different amino acid positions provided important insights on the core moiety of the active peptides. One receptor variant always exhibited higher binding activity than the other variant. The NmU-encoding genes were highly expressed in the slug brain, while the receptor gene was expressed at lower levels in general with relatively higher expression levels in both the brain and foot. Injection of the bioactive peptides into slugs triggered defensive behavior such as copious mucus secretion and a range of other anomalous behaviors including immobilization, suggesting their role in important physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Joon Ahn
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology & Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Rory J Mc Donnell
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jacob A Corcoran
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Biological Control of Insects Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ruth C Martin
- Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Shine
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Macquarie Univ. NSW Australia
| | - Vinay Udyawer
- Australian Inst. of Marine Science Darwin NT Australia
| | - Claire Goiran
- LabEx Corail & ISEA, Univ. de la Nouvelle‐Calédonie Nouméa Cedex New Caledonia
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9
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Cerullo AR, Lai TY, Allam B, Baer A, Barnes WJP, Barrientos Z, Deheyn DD, Fudge DS, Gould J, Harrington MJ, Holford M, Hung CS, Jain G, Mayer G, Medina M, Monge-Nájera J, Napolitano T, Espinosa EP, Schmidt S, Thompson EM, Braunschweig AB. Comparative Animal Mucomics: Inspiration for Functional Materials from Ubiquitous and Understudied Biopolymers. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:5377-5398. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio R. Cerullo
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Tsoi Ying Lai
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Bassem Allam
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, United States
| | - Alexander Baer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - W. Jon P. Barnes
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Zaidett Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Mercedes de Montes de Oca, San José 474-2050, Costa Rica
| | - Dimitri D. Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division-0202, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Douglas S. Fudge
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - John Gould
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Harrington
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Mandë Holford
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024, United States
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Chia-Suei Hung
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Gaurav Jain
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Mónica Medina
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Julian Monge-Nájera
- Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Mercedes de Montes de Oca, San José 474-2050, Costa Rica
| | - Tanya Napolitano
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, United States
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric M. Thompson
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, Thormøhlensgt. 55, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Adam B. Braunschweig
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
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