Rapid self-assembly of complex biomolecular architectures during mussel byssus biofabrication

Tobias Priemel,Mason N Dean,Elena Degtyar,Matthew J Harrington

doi:10.1038/ncomms14539

Tobias Priemel, Mason N Dean + Show 2 more

Open Access

PDF Available

https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14539

Copy DOI

Export

Save

Cite

Abstract
Highlights/Summary
Full-Text PDF
Similar Papers

Abstract

Listen

Protein-based biogenic materials provide important inspiration for the development of high-performance polymers. The fibrous mussel byssus, for instance, exhibits exceptional wet adhesion, abrasion resistance, toughness and self-healing capacity–properties that arise from an intricate hierarchical organization formed in minutes from a fluid secretion of over 10 different protein precursors. However, a poor understanding of this dynamic biofabrication process has hindered effective translation of byssus design principles into synthetic materials. Here, we explore mussel byssus assembly in Mytilus edulis using a synergistic combination of histological staining and confocal Raman microspectroscopy, enabling in situ tracking of specific proteins during induced thread formation from soluble precursors to solid fibres. Our findings reveal critical insights into this complex biological manufacturing process, showing that protein precursors spontaneously self-assemble into complex architectures, while maturation proceeds in subsequent regulated steps. Beyond their biological importance, these findings may guide development of advanced materials with biomedical and industrial relevance.

Highlights

Protein-based biogenic materials provide important inspiration for the development of high-performance polymers
Unlike current polymer processing methods, biological organisms employ bottom-up biomolecular assembly processes to produce a broad range of elaborate nano- and micro-architectured proteinaceous materials, the structural complexity of which is linked to their impressive performance[1,2,3]
We overcome these obstacles by utilizing an innovative experimental approach combining traditional histology and confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging to investigate assembly of the byssus of marine mussels (Mytilus edulis)

Summary

Introduction

Protein-based biogenic materials provide important inspiration for the development of high-performance polymers. Because Raman measurements must be performed on unstained sections in which it is difficult to identify specific glands, an adjacent serial section from the same mussel foot was first stained with Sirius red to locate regions of interest at the core/plaque gland and core/cuticle gland interfaces (Fig. 3a,c).

Results

Conclusion