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.
Holten-Andersen
Niels
N
Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
Mates
Thomas E
TE
Toprak
Muhammet S
MS
Stucky
Galen D
GD
Zok
Frank W
FW
Waite
J Herbert
JH
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