Melanin and Glycera jaws: emerging dark side of a robust biocomposite structure.
J Biol Chem
; 281(46): 34826-32, 2006 Nov 17.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16984906
ABSTRACT
Defining the design principles guiding the fabrication of superior biocomposite structures from an assemblage of ordinary molecules is a key goal of biomimetics. Considering their low degree of mineralization, Glycera jaws have been shown to be extraordinarily resistant to abrasion based on the metric hardness3/Young's modulus2. The jaws also exhibit an impressive chemical inertness withstanding boiling concentrated hydrochloric acid as well as boiling concentrated sodium hydroxide. A major organic component largely responsible for the chemical inertness of the jaws has been characterized using a spectrophotometric assay for melanin content, 13C solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, IR spectroscopy, and laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and is identified here as a melanin-like network. Although melanin is widely distributed as a pigment in tissues and other structural biomaterials, to our knowledge, Glycera jaws represent the first known integument to exploit melanin as a cohesive load- and shape-bearing material.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poliquetos
/
Arcada Osseodentária
/
Melaninas
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Biol Chem
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos