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Sutherland TD, Huson MG, Rapson TD. Rational design of new materials using recombinant structural proteins: Current state and future challenges. J Struct Biol 2017; 201:76-83. [PMID: 29097186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Sequence-definable polymers are seen as a prerequisite for design of future materials, with many polymer scientists regarding such polymers as the holy grail of polymer science. Recombinant proteins are sequence-defined polymers. Proteins are dictated by DNA templates and therefore the sequence of amino acids in a protein is defined, and molecular biology provides tools that allow redesign of the DNA as required. Despite this advantage, proteins are underrepresented in materials science. In this publication we investigate the advantages and limitations of using proteins as templates for rational design of new materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mickey G Huson
- CSIRO, Black Mountain, GPO Box 1700, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Trevor D Rapson
- CSIRO, Black Mountain, GPO Box 1700, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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2
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Abstract
Recombinant proteins are polymers that offer the materials engineer absolute control over chain length and composition: key attributes required for design of advanced polymeric materials. Through this control, these polymers can be encoded to contain information that enables them to respond as the environment changes. However, despite their promise, protein-based materials are under-represented in materials science. In this chapter we investigate why this is and describe recent efforts to address this. We discuss constraints limiting rational design of structural proteins for advanced materials; advantages and disadvantages of different recombinant expression platforms; and, methods to fabricate proteins into solid-state materials. Finally, we describe the silk proteins used in our laboratory as templates for information-containing polymers.
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3
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Servinis L, Gengenbach TR, Huson MG, Henderson LC, Fox BL. A Novel Approach to the Functionalisation of Pristine Carbon Fibre Using Azomethine 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition. Aust J Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/ch14254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the utilisation of an azomethine 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with carbon fibre to graft complex molecules onto the fibre surface. In an effort to enhance the interfacial interaction of the fibre to the matrix, the functionalised fibres possessed a pendant amine that is able to interact with epoxy resins. Functionalisation was supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the grafting process had no detrimental effects on tensile strength compared with the control (untreated) fibres. Also, microscopic roughness (as determined by atomic force microscopy) and fibre topography were unchanged after the described treatment process. This methodology complements existing methodology aimed at enhancing the surface of carbon fibres for advanced material applications while not compromising the desirable strength profile. Single-fibre fragmentation tests show a statistically significant decrease in fragment length compared with the control fibres in addition to transverse cracking within the curing resin, both of which indicate an enhanced interaction between fibre and resin.
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Poole J, Church JS, Woodhead AL, Huson MG, Sriskantha A, Kyratzis IL, Sutherland TD. Macromol. Biosci. 10/2013. Macromol Biosci 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201370033] [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: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Poole
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Bayview Avenue Clayton VIC 3169 Australia
| | - Jeffrey S. Church
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 Australia
| | | | - Mickey G. Huson
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 Australia
| | | | - Ilias L. Kyratzis
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Bayview Avenue Clayton VIC 3169 Australia
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Sutherland TD, Peng YY, Trueman HE, Weisman S, Okada S, Walker AA, Sriskantha A, White JF, Huson MG, Werkmeister JA, Glattauer V, Stoichevska V, Mudie ST, Haritos VS, Ramshaw JAM. A new class of animal collagen masquerading as an insect silk. Sci Rep 2013; 3:2864. [PMID: 24091725 PMCID: PMC3790195 DOI: 10.1038/srep02864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen is ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom, where it comprises some 28 diverse molecules that form the extracellular matrix within organisms. In the 1960s, an extracorporeal animal collagen that forms the cocoon of a small group of hymenopteran insects was postulated. Here we categorically demonstrate that the larvae of a sawfly species produce silk from three small collagen proteins. The native proteins do not contain hydroxyproline, a post translational modification normally considered characteristic of animal collagens. The function of the proteins as silks explains their unusual collagen features. Recombinant proteins could be produced in standard bacterial expression systems and assembled into stable collagen molecules, opening the door to manufacture a new class of artificial collagen materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara D Sutherland
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
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Poole J, Church JS, Woodhead AL, Huson MG, Sriskantha A, Kyratzis IL, Sutherland TD. Continuous Production of Flexible Fibers from Transgenically Produced Honeybee Silk Proteins. Macromol Biosci 2013; 13:1321-6. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201300231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Poole
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Bayview Avenue Clayton VIC 3169 Australia
| | - Jeffrey S. Church
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 Australia
| | | | - Mickey G. Huson
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 Australia
| | | | - Ilias L. Kyratzis
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering; Bayview Avenue Clayton VIC 3169 Australia
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Church JS, Huson MG, Sutherland TD. Artificial Honeybee Silk: A Recombinant Protein as a Biomimetic Structural Material. Biophys J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.11.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Huson MG, Church JS, Poole JM, Weisman S, Sriskantha A, Warden AC, Campbell PM, Ramshaw JAM, Sutherland TD. Controlling the molecular structure and physical properties of artificial honeybee silk by heating or by immersion in solvents. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52308. [PMID: 23300639 PMCID: PMC3533894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybee larvae produce silken cocoons that provide mechanical stability to the hive. The silk proteins are small and non-repetitive and therefore can be produced at large scale by fermentation in E. coli. The recombinant proteins can be fabricated into a range of forms; however the resultant material is soluble in water and requires a post production stabilizing treatment. In this study, we describe the structural and mechanical properties of sponges fabricated from artificial honeybee silk proteins that have been stabilized in aqueous methanol baths or by dry heating. Aqueous methanol treatment induces formation of ß-sheets, with the amount of ß-sheet dictated by methanol concentration. Formation of ß-sheets renders sponges insoluble in water and generates a reversibly compressible material. Dry heat treatments at 190°C produce a water insoluble material, that is stiffer than the methanol treated equivalent but without significant secondary structural changes. Honeybee silk proteins are particularly high in Lys, Ser, Thr, Glu and Asp. The properties of the heat treated material are attributed to generation of lysinoalanine, amide (isopeptide) and/or ester covalent cross-links. The unique ability to stabilize material by controlling secondary structure rearrangement and covalent cross-linking allows us to design recombinant silk materials with a wide range of properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickey G Huson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Materials Science and Engineering, Geelong, Australia.
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Lyons RE, Wong DCC, Kim M, Lekieffre N, Huson MG, Vuocolo T, Merritt DJ, Nairn KM, Dudek DM, Colgrave ML, Elvin CM. Molecular and functional characterisation of resilin across three insect orders. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2011; 41:881-90. [PMID: 21878390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Resilin is an important elastomeric protein of insects, with roles in the storage and release of energy during a variety of different functional categories including flight and jumping. To date, resilin genes and protein function have been characterised only in a small number of flying insects, despite their importance in fleas and other jumping insects. Microscopy and immunostaining studies of resilin in flea demonstrate the presence of resilin pads in the pleural arch at the top of the hind legs, a region responsible for the flea's jumping ability. A degenerate primer approach was used to amplify resilin gene transcripts from total RNA isolated from flea (Ctenocephalides felis), buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) and dragonfly (Aeshna sp.) pharate adults, and full-length transcripts were successfully isolated. Two isoforms (A and B) were amplified from each of flea and buffalo fly, and isoform B only in dragonfly. Flea and buffalo fly isoform B transcripts were expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system, yielding soluble recombinant proteins Cf-resB and Hi-resB respectively. Protein structure and mechanical properties of each protein before and after crosslinking were assessed. This study shows that resilin gene and protein sequences are broadly conserved and that crosslinked recombinant resilin proteins share similar mechanical properties from flying to jumping insects. A combined use of degenerate primers and polyclonal sera will likely facilitate characterisation of resilin genes from other insect and invertebrate orders.
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Huson MG, Strounina EV, Kealley CS, Rout MK, Church JS, Appelqvist IAM, Gidley MJ, Gilbert EP. Effects of thermal denaturation on the solid-state structure and molecular mobility of glycinin. Biomacromolecules 2011; 12:2092-102. [PMID: 21480635 DOI: 10.1021/bm200080h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effects of moisture and thermal denaturation on the solid-state structure and molecular mobility of soy glycinin powder were investigated using multiple techniques that probe over a range of length and time scales. In native glycinin, increased moisture resulted in a decrease in both the glass transition temperature and the denaturation temperature. The sensitivity of the glass transition temperature to moisture is shown to follow the Gordon-Taylor equation, while the sensitivity of the denaturation temperature to moisture is modeled using Flory's melting point depression theory. While denaturation resulted in a loss of long-range order, the principal conformational structures as detected by infrared are maintained. The temperature range over which the glass to rubber transition occurred was extended on the high temperature side, leading to an increase in the midpoint glass transition temperature and suggesting that the amorphous regions of the newly disordered protein are less mobile. (13)C NMR results supported this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickey G Huson
- CSIRO Food Futures Flagship, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia.
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Sutherland TD, Church JS, Hu X, Huson MG, Kaplan DL, Weisman S. Single honeybee silk protein mimics properties of multi-protein silk. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16489. [PMID: 21311767 PMCID: PMC3032785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybee silk is composed of four fibrous proteins that, unlike other silks, are readily synthesized at full-length and high yield. The four silk genes have been conserved for over 150 million years in all investigated bee, ant and hornet species, implying a distinct functional role for each protein. However, the amino acid composition and molecular architecture of the proteins are similar, suggesting functional redundancy. In this study we compare materials generated from a single honeybee silk protein to materials containing all four recombinant proteins or to natural honeybee silk. We analyse solution conformation by dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism, solid state structure by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, and fiber tensile properties by stress-strain analysis. The results demonstrate that fibers artificially generated from a single recombinant silk protein can reproduce the structural and mechanical properties of the natural silk. The importance of the four protein complex found in natural silk may lie in biological silk storage or hierarchical self-assembly. The finding that the functional properties of the mature material can be achieved with a single protein greatly simplifies the route to production for artificial honeybee silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara D Sutherland
- Entomology Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australia.
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12
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Elvin CM, Vuocolo T, Brownlee AG, Sando L, Huson MG, Liyou NE, Stockwell PR, Lyons RE, Kim M, Edwards GA, Johnson G, McFarland GA, Ramshaw JAM, Werkmeister JA. A highly elastic tissue sealant based on photopolymerised gelatin. Biomaterials 2010; 31:8323-31. [PMID: 20674967 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2010] [Accepted: 07/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Gelatin is widely used as a medical biomaterial because it is readily available, cheap, biodegradable and demonstrates favourable biocompatibility. Many applications require stabilisation of the biomaterial by chemical crosslinking, and this often involves derivatisation of the protein or treatment with cytotoxic crosslinking agents. We have previously shown that a facile photochemical method, using blue light, a ruthenium catalyst and a persulphate oxidant, produces covalent di-tyrosine crosslinks in resilin and fibrinogen to form stable hydrogel biomaterials. Here we show that various gelatins can also be rapidly crosslinked to form highly elastic (extension to break >650%) and adhesive (stress at break >100 kPa) biomaterials. Although the method does not require derivatisation of the protein, we show that when the phenolic (tyrosine-like) content of gelatin is increased, the crosslinked material becomes resistant to swelling, yet retains considerable elasticity and high adhesive strength. The reagents are not cytotoxic at the concentration used in the photopolymerisation reaction. When tested in vivo in sheep lung, the photopolymerised gelatin effectively sealed a wound in lung tissue from blood and air leakage, was not cytotoxic and did not produce an inflammatory response. The elastic properties, thermal stability, speed of curing and high tissue adhesive strength of this photopolymerised gelatin, offer considerable improvement over current surgical tissue sealants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Elvin
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
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13
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Lyons RE, Nairn KM, Huson MG, Kim M, Dumsday G, Elvin CM. Comparisons of Recombinant Resilin-like Proteins: Repetitive Domains Are Sufficient to Confer Resilin-like Properties. Biomacromolecules 2009; 10:3009-14. [DOI: 10.1021/bm900601h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Russell E. Lyons
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia, and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Kate M. Nairn
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia, and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Mickey G. Huson
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia, and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Misook Kim
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia, and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Geoff Dumsday
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia, and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Christopher M. Elvin
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia, and CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
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Abstract
Concerns for the environment and consumer demand are driving research into environmentally friendly fibers as replacements for part of the 38 million tonnes of synthetic fiber produced annually. While much current research focuses on cellulosic fibers, we highlight that protein fibers regenerated from waste or byproduct sources should also be considered. Feather keratin and wheat gluten may both be suitable. They are annually renewable, commercially abundant, of consistent quality, and have guaranteed supply. They contain useful amino acids for fiber making, with interchain cross-linking possible via cysteine residues or through the metal-catalyzed photocrosslinking of tyrosine residues. Previous commercially produced fibers suffered from poor wet strength. Contemporary nanoparticle and cross-linking technology has the potential to overcome this, allowing commercial production to resume. This would bring together two existing large production and processing pipelines, agricultural protein production and textile processing, to divert potential waste streams into useful products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Poole
- CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 21, Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
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15
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Elvin CM, Brownlee AG, Huson MG, Tebb TA, Kim M, Lyons RE, Vuocolo T, Liyou NE, Hughes TC, Ramshaw JAM, Werkmeister JA. The development of photochemically crosslinked native fibrinogen as a rapidly formed and mechanically strong surgical tissue sealant. Biomaterials 2009; 30:2059-65. [PMID: 19147224 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.12.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2008] [Accepted: 12/26/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported the generation of a highly elastic, crosslinked protein biomaterial via a rapid photochemical process using visible light illumination. In light of these findings, we predicted that other unmodified, tyrosine-rich, self-associating proteins might also be susceptible to this covalent crosslinking method. Here we show that unmodified native fibrinogen can also be photochemically crosslinked into an elastic hydrogel biomaterial through the rapid formation of intermolecular dityrosine. Photochemically crosslinked fibrinogen forms tissue sealant bonds at least 5-fold stronger than commercial fibrin glue and is capable of producing maximum bond strength within 20s. In vitro studies showed that components of the photochemical crosslinking reaction are non-toxic to cells. This material will find useful application in various surgical procedures where rapid curing for high strength tissue sealing is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Elvin
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Australia.
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Li D, Huson MG, Graham LD. Proteinaceous adhesive secretions from insects, and in particular the egg attachment glue of Opodiphthera sp. moths. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2008; 69:85-105. [PMID: 18780346 DOI: 10.1002/arch.20267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Biochemical and electrophoretic screening of 29 adhesive secretions from Australian insects identified six types that appeared to consist largely of protein. Most were involved in terrestrial egg attachment. Hydrogel glues were subjected to gravimetric analyses and assessed for overall amino acid composition. When 32 proteins in glues from eight insect species were analyzed individually, many proved to be rich in Gly, Ser, and/or Pro, and some contained substantial levels of 4-hydroxyproline. A few proteins were heavily glycosylated. Abundant protein-based secretions were tested as adhesives, mainly by measuring dry shear strength on wood. The strongest (1-2 MPa) was an egg attachment glue produced by saturniid gum moths of the genus Opodiphthera. It was harvested from female colleterial gland reservoirs as a treacle-like liquid that underwent irreversible gelation, and recovered from the capsules of laid eggs as a highly elastic orange-brown hydrogel that could also display high tack. Its protein-based nature was confirmed and explored by spectroscopy, enzymatic degradation, and 2D gel electrophoresis. Its proteins are mostly 80-95 kDa, and sequences (almost all novel) were established for 23 tryptic peptides. Scanning probe microscopy of Opodiphthera hydrogel in water returned median values of 0.83 nN for adhesion, 63 kPa for modulus, and 87% for resilience. Recombinant mimics of this material might be useful as biodegradable commodity adhesives or as specialty biomedical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Li
- CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Sydney Laboratory, NSW, Australia
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17
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Lyons RE, Lesieur E, Kim M, Wong DCC, Huson MG, Nairn KM, Brownlee AG, Pearson RD, Elvin CM. Design and facile production of recombinant resilin-like polypeptides: gene construction and a rapid protein purification method. Protein Eng Des Sel 2007; 20:25-32. [PMID: 17218334 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzl050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Resilin is an elastic protein found in specialized regions of the cuticle of insects, which displays unique resilience and fatigue lifetime properties. As is the case with many elastomeric proteins, including elastin, gliadin and spider silks, resilin contains distinct repetitive domains that appear to confer elastic properties to the protein. Recent work within our laboratory has demonstrated that cloning and expression of exon 1 of the Drosophila melanogaster CG15920 gene, encoding a putative resilin-like protein, results in a recombinant protein that can be photochemically crosslinked to form a highly resilient, elastic biomaterial (Rec1 resilin). The current study describes a recursive cloning strategy for generating synthetic genes encoding multiple copies of consensus polypeptides, based on the repetitive domains within resilin-like genes from D. melanogaster and Anopheles gambiae. A simple non-chromatographic purification method that can be applied to these synthetic proteins and Rec1 is also reported. These methods for the design and purification of resilin-like periodic polypeptides will facilitate the future investigation of structural and functional properties of resilin, and the development of novel highly resilient biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell E Lyons
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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18
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Graham LD, Glattauer V, Huson MG, Maxwell JM, Knott RB, White JW, Vaughan PR, Peng Y, Tyler MJ, Werkmeister JA, Ramshaw JA. Characterization of a protein-based adhesive elastomer secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti. Biomacromolecules 2006; 6:3300-12. [PMID: 16283759 DOI: 10.1021/bm050335e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete an exudate which rapidly forms a tacky elastic solid ("frog glue"). This protein-based material acts as a promiscuous pressure-sensitive adhesive that functions even in wet conditions. We conducted macroscopic tests in air to assess the tensile strength of moist glue (up to 78 +/- 8 kPa) and the shear strength of dry glue (1.7 +/- 0.3 MPa). We also performed nanomechanical measurements in water to determine the adhesion (1.9-7.2 nN or greater), resilience (43-56%), and elastic modulus (170-1035 kPa) of solid glue collected in different ways. Dry glue contains little carbohydrate and consists mainly of protein. The protein complement is rich in Gly (15.8 mol %), Pro (8.8 mol %), and Glu/Gln (14.1 mol %); it also contains some 4-hydroxyproline (4.6 mol %) but no 5-hydroxylysine or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa). Denaturing gel electrophoresis of the glue reveals a characteristic pattern of proteins spanning 13-400 kDa. The largest protein (Nb-1R, apparent molecular mass 350-500 kDa) is also the most abundant, and this protein appears to be the key structural component. The solid glue can be dissolved in dilute acids; raising the ionic strength causes the glue components to self-assemble spontaneously into a solid which resembles the starting material. We describe scattering studies on dissolved and solid glue and provide microscopy images of glue surfaces and sections, revealing a porous interior that is consistent with the high water content (85-90 wt %) of moist glue. In addition to compositional similarities with other biological adhesives and well-known elastomeric proteins, the circular dichroism spectrum of dissolved glue is almost identical to that for soluble elastin and electron and scanning probe microscopy images invite comparison with silk fibroins. Covalent cross-linking does not seem to be necessary for the glue to set.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lloyd D Graham
- CSIRO Molecular & Health Technologies, Sydney Laboratory, P.O. Box 184, North Ryde, NSW 1670, Australia.
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Maxwell JM, Huson MG. Clarification note in reference to “Scanning probe microscopy examination of the surface properties of keratin fibres”, by J.M. Maxwell and M.G. Huson. Micron 36 (2005) 127–136. Micron 2006; 37:180. [PMID: 16360316 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2005.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2005] [Revised: 08/15/2005] [Accepted: 09/09/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J M Maxwell
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
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Elvin CM, Carr AG, Huson MG, Maxwell JM, Pearson RD, Vuocolo T, Liyou NE, Wong DCC, Merritt DJ, Dixon NE. Synthesis and properties of crosslinked recombinant pro-resilin. Nature 2005; 437:999-1002. [PMID: 16222249 DOI: 10.1038/nature04085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2005] [Accepted: 07/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Resilin is a member of a family of elastic proteins that includes elastin, as well as gluten, gliadin, abductin and spider silks. Resilin is found in specialized regions of the cuticle of most insects, providing low stiffness, high strain and efficient energy storage; it is best known for its roles in insect flight and the remarkable jumping ability of fleas and spittle bugs. Previously, the Drosophila melanogaster CG15920 gene was tentatively identified as one encoding a resilin-like protein (pro-resilin). Here we report the cloning and expression of the first exon of the Drosophila CG15920 gene as a soluble protein in Escherichia coli. We show that this recombinant protein can be cast into a rubber-like biomaterial by rapid photochemical crosslinking. This observation validates the role of the putative elastic repeat motif in resilin function. The resilience (recovery after deformation) of crosslinked recombinant resilin was found to exceed that of unfilled synthetic polybutadiene, a high resilience rubber. We believe that our work will greatly facilitate structural investigations into the functional properties of resilin and shed light on more general aspects of the structure of elastomeric proteins. In addition, the ability to rapidly cast samples of this biomaterial may enable its use in situ for both industrial and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Elvin
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia 4072, Australia.
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Crossley JA, Gibson CT, Mapledoram LD, Huson MG, Myhra S, Pham DK, Sofield CJ, Turner PS, Watson GS. Atomic force microscopy analysis of wool fibre surfaces in air and under water. Micron 2000; 31:659-67. [PMID: 10838027 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-4328(99)00076-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wool fibre surfaces have been treated by solvent cleaning which leaves the native covalently bound surface lipid layer intact, and by alcoholic alkali which removes the lipid layer. The resultant surfaces have been analysed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), with particular emphasis on force-distance (F-d) methods. Methodologies were developed for investigation in situ in water of both the surface topography and the characteristics of the lipid layer. Longitudinal surface texturing was resolved in images of wool fibre surfaces in air; the texturing remained prominent after exposure to water. High resolution F-d curves revealed features associated with the lipid layer. A simple formalism was used to show that the layer had a thickness of a few nm, and an effective stiffness of some 0. 12+/-0.01N/m. Strong adhesive interactions, equivalent to a pressure of 0.1MPa, acted on the tip at the tip-to-substrate interface. The methodology and formalism are likely to be relevant in the broad field of thin-film analysis and for fibre technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- JA Crossley
- AEA Technology plc., Analytical Services, 551 Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0RA, Oxon, UK
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Phillips TJ, Huson MG, McKinnon CS. Localization of genes mediating acute and sensitized locomotor responses to cocaine in BXD/Ty recombinant inbred mice. J Neurosci 1998; 18:3023-34. [PMID: 9526019 PMCID: PMC6792576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensitization to the psychostimulant effects of cocaine has received widespread attention because concomitant changes occur in neurochemical pathways that are part of the brain reward pathway. The current study was undertaken with the purpose of mapping genes determining sensitivity to the acute stimulant and sensitizing effects of cocaine. Sensitivity and sensitization to cocaine (5, 10, and 40 mg/kg) were measured in 25 BXD/Ty recombinant inbred (BXD RI) strains and the progenitor C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) strains. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping provisionally localized cocaine sensitivity genes to regions on all chromosomes except 6, 11, 17, and X; sensitization QTLs were localized to chromosomes 1-10, 13, 15, 18, 19, and X. Provisional QTLs for locomotion after saline injection in a novel setting were mapped to chromosomes 1, 3-6, 9, 12, 13, 18, and 19 and in a familiar setting to chromosomes 4-7, 9, 13, and 19. There were both common and unique QTL regions across the phenotypes. Evidence for a genetic association between magnitude of acute cocaine response and sensitization was obtained for only the 10 mg/kg dose. Some common QTL regions for cocaine, ethanol, and methamphetamine responses suggest the possibility that these drugs induce stimulant effects or sensitization through some common mechanisms. However, independent mechanisms were also indicated. Many candidate genes reside near the provisional QTLs mapped for cocaine responses, including genes coding a variety of neurotransmitter and hormone receptors. These data, once confirmed, should prove useful for directing investigations of acute and chronic cocaine effects down already suspected and novel avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Phillips
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
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