Self-assembly and adhesive properties of <i>Pollicipes pollicipes</i> barnacle cement protein cp19k: influence of pH and ionic strength.

ABSTRACT: Marine organisms such as barnacles rely on a complex underwater adhesive system, driven by self-assembly and intermolecular associations between cement proteins, for permanent attachment to a variety of surface types. In this study, we investigated the influence of environmental parameters on the self-assembly of recombinant cp19k, a key adhesive protein in Pollicipes pollicipes. Using TEM imaging, a low pH (4.0) and high salt concentration (600 mM NaCl) environment, mimicking P. pollicipes gland conditions, was identified to promote the formation of extended, needle-like fibrils by the cp19k protein. The β-amyloid nature of fibrils formed under these conditions and at high pH/low salt concentration was confirmed by Thioflavin T assay. Non-fibrillar cp19k adhered most effecti

SUBMITTER: Sawant S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12557431 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature