Liquid-liquid crystalline phase separation of spider silk proteins

Communications Chemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins can be considered an intermediate solubility regime between disperse solutions and solid fibers. While LLPS has been described for several pathogenic amyloids, recent evidence suggests that it is similarly relevant functional amyloids. Here, we review the links spider silk (spidroins) its role in spinning process. Major ampullate spidroins undergo mediated by stickers spacers their repeat regions. During spinning, droplets shift from liquid to crystalline states. Shear force, altered ion composition, pH changes cause micelle-like spidroin assemblies form increasingly ordered liquid-crystalline phase. Interactions polyalanine regions ultimately yield characteristic β-crystalline structure mature dragline Based on these findings, hypothesize liquid-liquid (LLCPS) describe molecular macroscopic features transitions major during speculate whether other types may use a similar mechanism convert dope fiber.

Language: Английский

Recombinant silk protein condensates show widely different properties depending on sample background

Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(46), P. 11953 - 11967

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Background molecules such as DNA affect the formation and properties of recombinant spider silk protein condensates.

Language: Английский