Carbohydrates in the webs of <i>Argiope</i> spiders

Tillinghast, Edward K.; Kavanagh, Edward; Kolbjornsen, Paul H

doi:10.1002/jmor.1051690202

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…ASG1 includes amino acid sequences similar to chitin-binding domains with high proportions of charged amino acids, while ASG2 shows similarities to elastin and flagelliform spider silk repetitive domains that are critical for extensibility and elasticity of the glue droplet 16 . Both ASG1 and ASG2 are O-glycosylated primarily by N-acetylgalactosamine, and small amounts of other sugars such as galactose, mannose, and fucose 9 , 10 , 18 , 21 – 23 . While many studies attribute the adhesion of glue droplets to glycoproteins, no direct proof is evident from the literature 7 , 14 , 24 – 27 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hygroscopic compounds in spider aggregate glue remove interfacial water to maintain adhesion in humid conditions

et al. 2018

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Adhesion in humid environments is fundamentally challenging because of the presence of interfacial bound water. Spiders often hunt in wet habitats and overcome this challenge using sticky aggregate glue droplets whose adhesion is resistant to interfacial failure under humid conditions. The mechanism by which spider aggregate glue avoids interfacial failure in humid environments is still unknown. Here, we investigate the mechanism of aggregate glue adhesion by using interface-sensitive spectroscopy in conjunction with infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate that glycoproteins act as primary binding agents at the interface. As humidity increases, we observe reversible changes in the interfacial secondary structure of glycoproteins. Surprisingly, we do not observe liquid-like water at the interface, even though liquid-like water increases inside the bulk with increasing humidity. We hypothesize that the hygroscopic compounds in aggregate glue sequester interfacial water. Using hygroscopic compounds to sequester interfacial water provides a novel design principle for developing water-resistant synthetic adhesives.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hygroscopic compounds in spider aggregate glue remove interfacial water to maintain adhesion in humid conditions

et al. 2018

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“…The origin of the cyclic sugar phosphate is unknown and to our knowledge unprecedented in the study of fibrous proteins. However, carbohydrates have been detected in the silk of Argiope spiders (Tillinghast et al, 1981) and more recently in that of N. clavipes (Kaplan group, NATICK Army Research Center, personal communication, 1995).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presence of phosphorus in Nephila clavipes dragline silk

Michal

Simmons

Chew

et al. 1996

Biophysical Journal

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Solid-state 31P-NMR of Nephila clavipes dragline silk indicates the presence of phosphorus in at least two chemically distinct environments. Amino acid analyses of acid-hydrolyzed silk confirm the presence of phosphotyrosine as one of the phosphorus-containing components. The unusual chemical shift (18.9 ppm downfield from 85% H3PO4), proton chemical shift, and acid lability of a second component suggest that it is part of a strained five-membered cyclic phosphate that might be found on a beta-D-ribose. The five-membered cyclic phosphate is not removed from the silk fibers by exhaustive aqueous extraction. It is absent in nascent silk fibroin from the glands, suggesting that its formation is part of the fiber processing that occurs in the ducts leading to the spinnerets. High-resolution NMR spectra of silk dissolved in propionic acid/12 N HCl (50:50 v/v) show five phosphorus sites assigned to phosphorylated tyrosine residues, phosphorylated serine residues, inorganic phosphate, and two hydrolysis products of the cyclic phosphate compound. The observed posttranslational phosphorylation may be important in the processing and modulation of the physical properties of dragline silk.

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“…Specimens of A. aurantia were collected and reared in rectangular cages (Tillinghast et al, 1981) The principal fibers used in constructing the cocoon in the garden spider, Argiope aurantia, are large-diameter fibers developed from tubuliform glands and smalldiameter fibers presumed to be spun by the aciniform silk glands. Scanning electron micrographs of the large-diameter fibers on both surfaces of the cocoon clearly reveal their fine structural differences.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fine structural analysis of the cocoon silk production in the garden spider,Argiope aurantia

Moon¹

2003

Korean Journal of Biological Sciences

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Carbohydrates in the webs of Argiope spiders

Cited by 14 publications

References 9 publications

Hygroscopic compounds in spider aggregate glue remove interfacial water to maintain adhesion in humid conditions

Hygroscopic compounds in spider aggregate glue remove interfacial water to maintain adhesion in humid conditions

Presence of phosphorus in Nephila clavipes dragline silk

Fine structural analysis of the cocoon silk production in the garden spider,Argiope aurantia

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