Metals and the integrity of a biological coating: the cuticle of mussel byssus.
The cuticle of mussel byssal threads is a robust natural coating that combines high extensibility with high stiffness and hardness. In this study, fluorescence microscopy and elemental analysis were exploited to show that the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (dopa) residues of mussel foot protein-1 colocalize with Fe and Ca distributions in the cuticle of Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel byssal threads. Chelated removal of Fe and Ca from the cuticle of intact threads resulted in a 50% reduction in cuticle hardness, and thin sections subjected to the same treatment showed a disruption of cuticle integrity. Dopa-metal complexes may provide significant interactions for the integrity of composite cuticles deformed under tension.
Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
Niels
N
Holten-Andersen
Thomas E
TE
Mates
Muhammet S
MS
Toprak
Galen D
GD
Stucky
Frank W
FW
Zok
J Herbert
JH
Waite
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D049872:Bivalvia; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry; D007980:Levodopa / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008956:Models, Chemical; D049878:Mytilus / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008670:Metals; D007980:Levodopa; D007501:Iron; D002118:Calcium