Replicating shear-mediated self-assembly of spider silk through microfluidics.
Nat Commun
; 15(1): 527, 2024 Jan 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38225234
ABSTRACT
The development of artificial spider silk with properties similar to native silk has been a challenging task in materials science. In this study, we use a microfluidic device to create continuous fibers based on recombinant MaSp2 spidroin. The strategy incorporates ion-induced liquid-liquid phase separation, pH-driven fibrillation, and shear-dependent induction of ß-sheet formation. We find that a threshold shear stress of approximately 72 Pa is required for fiber formation, and that ß-sheet formation is dependent on the presence of polyalanine blocks in the repetitive sequence. The MaSp2 fiber formed has a ß-sheet content (29.2%) comparable to that of native dragline with a shear stress requirement of 111 Pa. Interestingly, the polyalanine blocks have limited influence on the occurrence of liquid-liquid phase separation and hierarchical structure. These results offer insights into the shear-induced crystallization and sequence-structure relationship of spider silk and have significant implications for the rational design of artificially spun fibers.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aranhas
/
Fibroínas
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article