Spider egg case core fibers: trimeric complexes assembled from TuSp1, ECP-1, and ECP-2

Biochemistry
Xiaoyi HuC A Vierra

Abstract

Spider silk proteins are well-known for their extraordinary mechanical properties, displaying remarkable strength and toughness. In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) tandem time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and reverse genetics were used to isolate a new cDNA sequence that encodes for a protein assembled into egg case silk from the black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus. Analysis of the primary sequence of this protein reveals approximately 52% identity to the egg case protein 1 (ECP-1) fibroin-like family member. On the basis of the similarity in the primary sequence and expression pattern, we have named this factor egg case protein 2 (ECP-2). Alignments of ECP-1 and ECP-2 demonstrate highly conserved N termini, with 16 Cys residues found within the first 153 amino acids. Traditional ensemble repeats found within reported fibroins were poorly represented in the primary sequence of ECP-2, but scattered blocks of polyalanine were present, along with a C terminus rich in GA repeats. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR analysis showed that ECP-2 is predominantly expressed in the tubuliform gland. Relative to ECP-1, ECP-2 mRNA levels were determined to be >2-fold higher. MALDI MS/MS a...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 11, 2013·Biomacromolecules·Marlene AnderssonAnna Rising
Aug 29, 2012·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Keshav VasanthavadaCraig Vierra
Aug 11, 2010·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Jessica E GarbCheryl Y Hayashi
Jul 5, 2012·PloS One·James StarrettCheryl Y Hayashi
Aug 22, 2013·Acta Biomaterialia·Olena TokarevaDavid L Kaplan
Feb 21, 2014·BMC Evolutionary Biology·R Crystal ChawCheryl Y Hayashi
Aug 25, 2015·Journal of Proteome Research·Ro Crystal ChawCheryl Y Hayashi
Apr 24, 2009·Protein Science : a Publication of the Protein Society·S GripM Hedhammar
Nov 23, 2012·Advanced Materials·Zhi LinDaiwen Yang
Sep 21, 2016·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Camille LarracasCraig A Vierra
Dec 8, 2019·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Erminia ContiFilippo Samperi
May 26, 2017·Zoology : Analysis of Complex Systems, ZACS·Sandra M Correa-GarhwalCheryl Y Hayashi
Aug 13, 2018·ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·Jianming ChenKensuke Naka
Aug 28, 2021·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Mikayla ShanafeltCraig A Vierra
Sep 18, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Tiantian FanZhi Lin

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