Biochemical methods for producing and characterising recombinant spider silks

Frontiers in Arachnid Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 3

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2025

Here, we review the processes involved in producing and assessing quality of recombinant spider silk proteins (spidroins) challenges associated with their synthesis spinning into robust fibres. We provide an overview techniques used to produce proteins, from gene expression various host organisms. Evidence suggests that N- C-terminal regions spidroins are utmost importance for fibre assembly repetitive domains responsible unique mechanical properties both native versions silks. describe role liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) spidroin its subsequent formation. Recent developments production co-expression strategies improving yield scalability highlighted. Techniques such as mass photometry size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysing protein purity behaviour thereupon detailed. Finally, address predictive computational methods play future designing novel high-performing materials inspired by spidroins.

Язык: Английский

Ecosystem services provided by spiders

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июнь 3, 2025

ABSTRACT Spiders, ubiquitous and abundant predators in terrestrial ecosystems, often are the subjects of an unjust negative perception. However, these remarkable creatures stand as unsung heroes within our contributing a multitude ecosystem services critical to human well‐being. Here, we describe diverse spectrum offered by spiders their potential inspire or directly provide nature‐based solutions. Provisioning include versatile uses silk‐like other materials, inspiration for biomimetic technology, medicines derived from venom, hemolymph silk, bio‐insecticides that offer eco‐friendly alternatives synthetic chemicals, food sources various communities worldwide, unconventional yet increasingly valued pets. Regulating provided extend vital roles pest suppression across agricultural settings, mitigating diseases curbing insect‐mediated pathogen dispersal, controlling invasive species. Supporting equally extensive, involving nutrient cycling through breakdown organic matter, acting predators, creating habitats organisms. Beyond tangible contributions, hold significant cultural spiritual heritage globally integral many traditional medicine practices. They contemporary culture, educational value, contribute mental health improvement, evoke sense place, models scientific discovery, commonly employed monitoring biodiversity health. To pave way future research, present suggestions exploring quantifying economic value spiders. While well established studied perspectives, others harbour untapped potential. Leveraging what nature inherently provides, solutions avenues address challenges such erosion societal needs. By restoring, preserving, mimicking natural processes spiders, can enhance essential services, harnessing full web benefits they bring us.

Язык: Английский

From fibres to adhesives: evolution of spider capture threads from web anchors by radical changes in silk gland function

Journal of The Royal Society Interface, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 21(216)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Spider webs that serve as snares are one of the most fascinating and abundant type animal architectures. In many cases they include an adhesive coating silk lines—so-called viscid silk—for prey capture. The evolutionary switch from secretions forming solid fibres to soft aqueous adhesives remains open question in understanding spider evolution. Here we functionally chemically characterized two types glands their behavioural use cellar spider, Pholcus phalangioides. Both being derived same ancestral gland produces with a solidifying glue coat, produce respectively quickly applied thread anchorages wraps, or permanently tacky deployed snares. We found latter is by high concentration organic salts reduced spidroin content, showing up possible pathway for evolution properties hygroscopic-salt-mediated hydration adhesives. Understanding underlying molecular basis such radical switches material not only helps better understand origins versatility ecologically impactful web architectures, but also informs bioengineering silk-based products tailored properties.

Язык: Английский