Biomimetic production of silk-like recombinant squid sucker ring teeth proteins

Biomacromolecules. 2014 Sep 8;15(9):3278-89. doi: 10.1021/bm500670r. Epub 2014 Aug 5.

Abstract

The sucker ring teeth (SRT) of Humboldt squid exhibit mechanical properties that rival those of robust engineered synthetic polymers. Remarkably, these properties are achieved without a mineral phase or covalent cross-links. Instead, SRT are exclusively made of silk-like proteins called "suckerins", which assemble into nanoconfined β-sheet reinforced supramolecular networks. In this study, three streamlined strategies for full-length recombinant suckerin protein production and purification were developed. Recombinant suckerin exhibited high solubility and colloidal stability in aqueous-based solvents. In addition, the colloidal suspensions exhibited a concentration-dependent conformational switch, from random coil to β-sheet enriched structures. Our results demonstrate that recombinant suckerin can be produced in a facile manner in E. coli and processed from mild aqueous solutions into materials enriched in β-sheets. We suggest that recombinant suckerin-based materials offer potential for a range of biomedical and engineering applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Decapodiformes / chemistry*
  • Decapodiformes / genetics
  • Decapodiformes / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Silk*
  • Tooth / chemistry*
  • Tooth / metabolism

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Silk