Interfacial Crystallization and Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Spider Silk Inspired Protein at the Water-Air Interface.

ABSTRACT: Macromolecular assembly into complex morphologies and architectural shapes is an area of fundamental research and technological innovation. In this work, we investigate the self-assembly process of recombinantly produced protein inspired by spider silk (spidroin). To elucidate the first steps of the assembly process, we examined highly concentrated and viscous pendant droplets of this protein in air. We show how the protein self-assembles and crystallizes at the water-air interface into a relatively thick and highly elastic skin. Using time-resolved in situ synchrotron x-ray scattering measurements during the drying process, we showed that the skin evolved to contain a high β-sheet amount over time. We also found that β-sheet formation strongly depended on protein concentration and relativ

SUBMITTER: Mohammadi P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8348448 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature