Dynamic Changes and Characterization of the Metal Ions in the Silk Glands and Silk Fibers of Silkworm.

ABSTRACT: Metal ions are involved in the conformational transition of silk fibroin and influence the structure and mechanical properties of silk fibers. However, the dynamic characteristics of metal ions during the formation of silk fibers remain unclear. In this study, we found that the silk glands of silkworms contain various metal elements, with varying levels of the metal elements in different zones of the glands and higher levels in the anterior silk glands. Additionally, the content of various metallic elements in the silk glands varied greatly before and after spinning, similar to their content in different cocoon layers, thus, indicating that the anterior silk glands maintain a certain metal ion environment for the transport and conformational transformation of the silk proteins. Most of the

SUBMITTER: Liu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10094808 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature