Recombinant Silk Fibroin Crystalline Regions as Biomaterial Alternatives to the Full-Length Protein.

ABSTRACT: Silk fibroin is a natural polymer with a unique repetitive structure that translates to extraordinary properties in terms of processability and mechanical properties. The Bombyx mori silk has a molecular weight of ∼415 kDa and consists of a light chain and a heavy chain. Its heavy chain is organized into 12 crystalline domains. Each of these crystalline domains contains subdomains of ∼70 amino acid containing blocks. It is well understood that the heavy chain of the protein is responsible for its processing versatility and excellent mechanical properties; however, the need for the high number of monomeric repeating units is unclear, and the individual properties of crystalline regions compared to those of the full-length protein are not understood. The work described herein assessed

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8086561 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature