Functional diversity of resilin in Arthropoda

Abstract

SummaryResilin is an elastomeric protein typically occurring in exoskeletons of arthropods. It is composed of randomly orientated coiled polypeptide chains that are covalently cross-linked together at regular intervals by the two unusual amino acids dityrosine and trityrosine forming a stable network with a high degree of flexibility and mobility. As a result of its molecular prerequisites, resilin features exceptional rubber-like properties including a relatively low stiffness, a rather pronounced long-range deformability and a nearly perfect elastic recovery. Within the exoskeleton structures, resilin commonly forms composites together with other proteins and/or chitin fibres. In the last decades, numerous exoskeleton structures with large proportions of resilin and various resilin functions have been described. Today, resilin is known to be responsible for the generation of deformability and flexibility in membrane and joint systems, the storage of elastic energy in jumping and catapulting systems, the enhancement of adaptability to uneven surfaces in attachment and prey catching systems, the reduction of fatigue and damage in reproductive, folding and feeding systems and the sealing of wounds in a traumatic reproductive system. In addition, resilin is present in many compound eye lenses and is suggested to be a very suitable material for optical elements because of its transparency and amorphousness. The evolution of this remarkable functional diversity can be assumed to have only been possible because resilin exhibits a unique combination of different outstanding properties.

Holding tight on feathers - structural specializations and attachment properties of the avian ectoparasiteCrataerina pallida(Diptera, Hippoboscidae)

“…Apart from the external morphology, the material composition, especially the occurrence of resilin in certain structures, is important for the functionality of an attachment system. The elastic protein resilin (Weis-Fogh, 1960) is known for its high resilience, low fatigue and strong damping (see review by Michels et al, 2016). We show, for the first time, that the material (sclerotization) gradient of the setae previously reported for Coccinella septempunctata (Peisker et al, 2013) is also present in a species within the order Diptera.…”

Biofluorescence in Terrestrial Animals, with Emphasis on Fireflies: A Review and Field Observation

“…Blue fluorescence resulting from resilin in lenses of compound eyes of P. pyralis was reported in 1970 [111]. Actually this protein is common and widespread in arthropod eye lenses [113]. This matches our observation that compound eyes are among the most frequently fluorescing body parts of fireflies under UV illumination, giving a cyan or blue emission.…”

Functional morphology of tarsal adhesive pads and attachment ability in ticksIxodes ricinus(Arachnida, Acari, Ixodidae)

“…2E-G). Resilin has previously been reported in the tarsi of several insect species (Gorb, 1996;Frazier et al, 1999;Federle et al, 2001;Niederegger and Gorb, 2003;Frantsevich and Gorb, 2004;Voigt et al, 2007;Michels et al, 2016). The specific protein is also a known component in the extensible alloscutal cuticle in I. ricinus females (Dillinger and Kesel, 2002;Andersen and Roepstorff, 2005).…”