Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroyuki Nakamura, Nobuaki Kono, Masaru Mori, Hiroyasu Masunaga, Keiji Numata, Kazuharu Arakawa
Summary: This study compares the mechanical properties and water resistance of spider's minor ampullate silk (MI-silk) and major ampullate silk (MA-silk), revealing the unique properties and water resistance of MI-silk. Proteomic analysis shows that MI-silk is composed of minor ampullate spidroin (MiSp), major ampullate spidroin (MaSp1), and spidroin constituting elements (SpiCEs). The absence of MaSp2 in the MI-silk proteome explains the difference in water resistance between MI-silk and MA-silk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenbo Hu, Anqiang Jia, Sanyuan Ma, Guoqing Zhang, Zhaoyuan Wei, Fang Lu, Yongjiang Luo, Zhisheng Zhang, Jiahe Sun, Tianfang Yang, TingTing Xia, Qinhui Li, Ting Yao, Jiangyu Zheng, Zijie Jiang, Zehui Xu, Qingyou Xia, Yi Wang
Summary: Hu et al. unveil a molecular atlas of silk production in the spider major ampullate (Ma) gland, providing insights into the genetic basis and spatial architecture of silk production. This study expands our knowledge of spider dragline silk generation and has implications for biomimetic applications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ali D. Malay, Hamish C. Craig, Jianming Chen, Nur Alia Oktaviani, Keiji Numata
Summary: In this article, recent findings on the material constituents, protein structures, and self-assembly mechanisms of spider dragline silk are discussed. The concept of biomimetics in artificial spider silk production, along with key practical aspects of design and evaluation, is also considered.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Henrike Schmidtberg, Bjoern M. von Reumont, Sarah Lemke, Andreas Vilcinskas, Tim Lueddecke
Summary: Spiders, specifically the wasp spider in this study, exhibit similar morphological features in their venom apparatus as other spiders. However, the detailed evaluation of the venom duct revealed the presence of four structurally distinct compartments, which are proposed to facilitate the expression and secretion of venom components.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katharina Weiss, Jutta M. Schneider
Summary: The study shows that female A. bruennichi spiders increase their pheromone release as they age and approach oviposition, which may be a strategic behavior to attract males. The release of pheromones is also dependent on the condition of the females, indicating the presence of physiological costs. Male spiders use the quantity of pheromones as the sole predictor of female attractiveness.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ping Jiang, Lihua Wu, Menglei Hu, Sisi Tang, Zhimin Qiu, Taiyong Lv, Manuel Elices, Gustavo V. Guinea, Jose Perez-Rigueiro
Summary: The mechanical behavior of Argiope bruennichi spider silk fibers spun by major ampullate gland is explored through loading-unloading tests and analysis of stress-strain curves. The elastic modulus increases steadily under these loading conditions, while the yield stress shows only moderate variation. A significant proportion of the energy initially absorbed is dissipated, but the material may partially recover from irreversible deformation. The mechanical performance of spider silk is influenced by irreversible and reversible deformation mechanisms, with viscoelasticity playing a leading role.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gregor Lang, Carolin Grill, Thomas Scheibel
Summary: This study used spider silk proteins to produce Janus fibers with two different functional sides. Functionalization and coupling of gold nanoparticles were achieved through modification and post-treatment processes. The results demonstrated the potential of this silk-based system to realize complex bifunctional structures at the nano scale.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rui Wen, Suyang Wang, Kangkang Wang, Dong Yang, Xingjie Zan, Qing Meng
Summary: This study reports the full-length MaSp4 gene from the orb-weaving spider Araneus ventricosus and identifies its unique sequence, structure, and mechanical property. It provides a complete template for recombinant silk protein with specific properties and supports the idea that the GPGPQ motif in MaSp4 increases the flexibility of dragline silk by packing in more a-turns.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Onofrei, Dillan Stengel, Di Jia, Hannah R. Johnson, Samantha Trescott, Ashana Soni, Bennett Addison, Murugappan Muthukumar, Gregory P. Holland
Summary: The dragline silk of the black widow spider is a high-performance biological polymer that exceeds the strength and toughness of man-made materials. The major ampullate silk is primarily composed of two spidroin proteins that self-associate to form superstructures despite being intrinsically disordered proteins. Research has shown that certain amino acid motifs play a crucial role in the pre-assembly of silk proteins.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moritz Gerbaulet, Anton Moellerke, Katharina Weiss, Satya Chinta, Jutta M. Schneider, Stefan Schulz
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that spiders have structurally more diverse cuticular and silk lipids compared to insects, and these lipids may serve as signals. The wasp spider has the most well-studied chemical communication system in spiders, and kin-recognition in this species is mediated through cuticular compounds consisting of hydrocarbons and wax esters. Chemical profiles of male and female spiders differ, with tridecyl 2,4-dimethyl-C17-19 alkanoates being the major component in males and slightly longer tridecyl 2,4-dimethyl-C19-21 alkanoates in females.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Katharina Weiss, Jutta M. Schneider
Summary: This study examined kin recognition behavior in the orb-weaver spider and found a chemical signal-based mechanism for kin recognition. Males showed a preference for mating with sisters over leaving, possibly due to the ability to recognize relatives through specific cuticular substances.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Richard H. Baker, Andre Corvelo, Cheryl Y. Hayashi
Summary: The evolutionary diversification of orb-web weaving spiders is closely linked to the mechanical performance of dragline silk. Recent genomic studies have challenged the current understanding of the molecular structure and evolution of MaSp genes. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of MaSp diversity and evolution in Argiope spiders, revealing significant changes in silk gene structure and identifying unique features that contribute to the remarkable strength and extensibility of dragline silk.
Article
Microbiology
Min Kyoung Shin, In-Wook Hwang, Bo-Young Jang, Kyung-Bin Bu, Jung Sun Yoo, Jung-Suk Sung
Summary: Due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, there is a need for new antimicrobial agents. In this study, two novel antimicrobial peptides, AATX-Ab2a and AATX-Ab3a, were identified from the venom transcriptome of the spider Argiope bruennichi using in silico methods. These peptides exhibited antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogens, including multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, and showed low toxicity to normal human cells. The study demonstrated the discovery of new antibiotic candidates and validated the use of in silico analysis to identify functional substances from biological resources.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiatian Li, Sitong Li, Jiayi Huang, Abdul Qadeer Khan, Baigang An, Xiang Zhou, Zunfeng Liu, Meifang Zhu
Summary: Spider silk is a natural polymeric fiber with remarkable mechanical properties attributed to its hierarchical structure. Researchers have been motivated to develop artificial functional fibers mimicking spider silk, and this review provides insights into the biomimetic preparation of such fibers with interesting properties. Biomimetic studies have yielded noteworthy findings in artificial fibers aiming to exceed the properties of natural spider silk.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. Crystal Chaw, Thomas H. Clarke, Peter Arensburger, Nadia A. Ayoub, Cheryl Y. Hayashi
Summary: The molecular studies revealed candidate genes for silk synthesis in spider silk production. The differential gene expression profiles among different silk gland types provided insight into defining silk glands generally and from each other. The analysis showed similarities and differences among major ampullate, minor ampullate, and aggregate silk glands, indicating the evolution of multiple silk gland types within an individual spider.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. Zhang, C. Li, X. Weng, J. Su, L. Shen, G. Pan, D. Long, A. Zhao, H. Cui
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Plant Sciences
C. Y. Liu, Y. Z. Xu, W. Fan, D. P. Long, B. N. Cao, Z. H. Xiang, A. C. Zhao
BIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Changying Liu, Yazhen Xu, Yang Feng, Dingpei Long, Boning Cao, Zhonghuai Xiang, Aichun Zhao
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Changying Liu, Jun Li, Panpan Zhu, Jian Yu, Jiamin Hou, Chuanhong Wang, Dingpei Long, Maode Yu, Aichun Zhao
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Boning Cao, Zhongqiang Xia, Changying Liu, Wei Fan, Shuai Zhang, Qiao Liu, Zhonghuai Xiang, Aichun Zhao
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Diane Umuhoza, Fang Yang, Dingpei Long, Zhanzhang Hao, Jing Dai, Aichun Zhao
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feng Jiao, Rongsong Luo, Xuelei Dai, Hui Liu, Gang Yu, Shuhua Han, Xin Lu, Chao Su, Qi Chen, Qinxia Song, Caiting Meng, Fanghong Li, Hongmei Sun, Rui Zhang, Tian Hui, Yonghua Qian, Aichun Zhao, Yu Jiang
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panpan Zhu, Min Kou, Changying Liu, Shuai Zhang, Ruihua Lu, Zhongqiang Xia, Maode Yu, Aichun Zhao
Summary: Genome sequencing and analysis of Ciboria shiraiana revealed insights into its pathogenic mechanisms, evolutionary patterns, and gene expression profiles, providing new research directions for the prevention and control of this pathogen.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meifeng Li, Jianjun Liu, Yuping Zhou, Siqin Zhou, Shuai Zhang, Huarong Tong, Aichun Zhao
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Fan, ChangYing Liu, Boning Cao, Shuyu Ma, Jie Hu, Zhonghuai Xiang, Aichun Zhao
Summary: A meta-analysis of 32 published datasets revealed that plant species played a more decisive role than media used and exposure time in the transcriptome patterns of plant roots response to Cd stress. CD-regulated 838 DEGs were commonly found in at least nine out of 18 GL datasets. Gene ontology, KEGG pathway, and Mapman analyses showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in regulation, cellular response, secondary metabolism, and other related functions.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhanzhang Hao, Dingpei Long, Yuli Zhang, Diane Umuhoza, Jing Dai, Zhen Xu, Guizheng Zhang, Wenjie Meng, Zhonghuai Xiang, Aichun Zhao
Summary: Silk fibroin of the silkworm consists of different components, each playing distinct roles in silk processing. The hydrophilic NTDs and CTDs are shown to be located differently in micelles, providing electrostatic repulsion and controlling solubility, respectively. This elucidates the underlying mechanisms of silkworm silk processing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Boning Cao, Zhongqiang Xia, Zhanzhang Hao, Changying Liu, Dingpei Long, Wei Fan, Aichun Zhao
Summary: The study investigated the function of MnNHX6, an endosomal-type NHX in mulberry, and found that the conserved region of its C-terminus plays a crucial role in protein function, stability, and interaction with other proteins. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of the C-terminal tail of NHXs in plants and the ion transport mechanism of NHX-like antiporters.
Article
Forestry
Changying Liu, Panpan Zhu, Wei Fan, Yang Feng, Min Kou, Jie Hu, Aichun Zhao
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Changying Liu, Wei Fan, Panpan Zhu, Zhongqiang Xia, Jie Hu, Aichun Zhao
PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR
(2019)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dingpei Long, Xian Cheng, Zhanzhang Hao, Jianfeng Sun, Diane Umuhoza, Yanping Liu, Lili Chen, Zhonghuai Xiang, Fang Yang, Aichun Zhao
Summary: The strategy of "light-clothing" proposes trimming redundant parts of additive domains to avoid unnecessary post-translational modifications, ensuring normal synthesis and extraction of fusion proteins. This approach demonstrates material fabrication versatility and enhances fusion protein activity, facilitating the development of high-performance materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fuqiang Ge, Qiaoling Yu, Jun Zhang, Yaoyao Han, Dongfa Zhu, Xi Xie
Summary: The E93 gene was identified and found to be widely distributed in adult tissues of the swimming crab. The expression levels of PtE93 mRNA in Y-organ and epidermis fluctuated during the molt cycle, suggesting its involvement in juvenile molting. Treatment with 20E induced PtE93 expression, while treatment with MF showed the opposite effect. The study also observed a negative correlation between PtE93 and ecdysteroid biosynthesis genes.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Marrero, Oscar Monroig, Jose A. Perez, Monica B. Betancor, Ana Galindo, Ana Bolanos, N. Guadalupe Acosta, Covadonga Rodriguez
Summary: This study investigated the combined effects of partial dietary replacement of fish oil (FO) by vegetable oil (VO) and reduced ambient salinity on the fatty acid composition of C. labrosus juveniles. The results showed that C. labrosus is able to biosynthesise EPA and DHA from ALA, and low salinity conditions can upregulate the gene expression related to fatty acid metabolism. Fish reared on FO20 diet showed the highest amount of n-3 LC-PUFA in muscle.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Davide Degli Esposti, Aureline Lalouette, Karen Gaget, Louveline Lepeule, Zineb Chaabi, Maxime Lepretre, Anabelle Espeyte, Nicolas Delorme, Herve Queau, Laura Garnero, Federica Calevro, Arnaud Chaumot, Olivier Geffard
Summary: Metal pollution has significant effects on aquatic environments, and metallothioneins play important roles in maintaining metal homeostasis and detoxification. This study identified two metallothionein-coding transcripts in Gammarus fossarum and investigated their organ-specific expression patterns. The results showed that mt1 was more strongly induced after cadmium exposure, and mt1 was more highly induced in the caeca compared to the gills for any metal exposure. Additionally, mt2 was more inducible in the gills than in the caeca for cadmium and zinc exposure at the individual level.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cuihong You, Shuangshuang Miao, Zhiyong Xie, Siyuan Lin, Shuqi Wang, Cuiying Chen, Li Lin, Yanhua Huang, Meng Zhou, Yewei Dong, Yuanyou Li, Ping Zhuang
Summary: The rabbitfish S. guttatus was found to have the capability for LC-PUFA biosynthesis, with the expression of related genes varying temporally and spatially during embryogenesis and being influenced by ambient salinity.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saydur Rahman, Mohammad Maruf Billah, Victor Rangel, Esmirna Cantu
Summary: Global warming has severe impacts on the reproductive fitness of marine invertebrates. In this study, the researchers used various techniques to investigate the effects of high temperatures on global DNA methylation, cellular apoptosis, and nitrative stress in the gonads of Atlantic sea urchins.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. S. Kladchenko, A. A. Tkachuk, M. S. Podolskaya, A. Yu. Andreyeva
Summary: This study investigated the osmotic stability and cellular responses of hemocytes in Mediterranean mussel and Pacific oyster. The results revealed that both species showed cellular volume changes and alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential upon hypoosmotic swelling. These findings provide insights into the cellular responses of bivalve mollusks to osmotic stress.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuya Ohhara, Chiemi Sagisaka, Kimiko Yamakawa-Kobayashi
Summary: This study investigated the biosynthetic capacity of n-3 PUFAs in the terrestrial invertebrate Sinella dubiosa, and found that it can metabolize oleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids to produce EPA, suggesting that it may serve as an EPA source in soil ecosystems.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
N. Perales-Garcia, D. Tovar-Ramirez, M. G. Martinez-Morales, B. P. Ceballos-Vazquez, D. A. Corona-Rojas, M. A. Salcedo-Meza, A. Garrido-Mora, F. Vega-Villasante, H. Nolasco-Soria
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
N. Perales-Garcia, D. Tovar-Ramirez, M. G. Martinez-Morales, B. P. Ceballos-Vazquez, D. A. Corona-Rojas, M. A. Salcedo-Meza, A. Garrido-Mora, F. Vega-Villasante, H. Nolasco-Soria
Summary: This study provides the first report on the digestive tract pH of the pygmy octopus. The pH of the digestive tract regions was found to be lower than 7.0 and did not differ significantly between wild and captive octopuses. The digestive gland had the lowest pH values, but they were still above 5.0.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Espirito-Santo, Carmen Alburquerque, Francisco A. Guardiola, Rodrigo O. A. Ozorio, Leonardo J. Magnoni
Summary: Swimming has physiological effects on farmed fish, but the potential link between swimming and oxidative stress is still poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of different moderate swimming conditions on the antioxidant status of gilthead seabream, revealing that swimming modulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and skeletal muscle. Adequate swimming conditions were found to minimize oxidative stress in gilthead seabream.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingxin Zhang, Chaobin Qin, Junli Wang, Liping Yang, Xiao Yan, Shaoyang Zhi, Guoxing Nie
Summary: The study focuses on the expression patterns of PFK genes in response to glucose, insulin, and glucagon stimuli in grass carp. The findings suggest that PFK family genes have different or even opposite expression patterns in various tissues, which may contribute to glucose intolerance in fish.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianshuang Li, Likang Lyu, Haishen Wen, Yun Li, Xiaojie Wang, Yijia Yao, Xin Qi
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptional regulation of estrogen receptors (ESRs) on isotocin receptors (itrs) in guppies, and found that estrogen can regulate oxytocin receptor expression in ovoviviparous teleosts. The study also demonstrated that ESR1 represses itr2 promoter activity in an estrogen-dependent manner, while overexpression of ESR2a or ESR2b enhances itr2 promoter activity.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wan-Xin Li, Li-Ting Cai, Yan-Ping Huang, Yuan-Qing Huang, Shu-Hui Pan, Zhi-Long Liu, Charles Brighton Ndandala, Gang Shi, Si-Ping Deng, Hong-Juan Shi, Guang-Li Li, Dong-Neng Jiang
Summary: In this study, it was found that S. argus has two lep genes, with lepa highly expressed in the liver and lepb not detected in any tissue. lepa was found to play a role in regulating female reproduction in S. argus.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Xiang Wu, Xiao-Ying Tan, Yi-Chuang Xu, Hua Zheng, Xiao-Lei Wei, Wu-Hong Lv, Zhi Luo
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the activation of lipophagy in yellow catfish under high glucose-induced lipid deposition. The SIRT1-NRF2-TFEB pathway is proposed to mediate lipophagy activation, and lipophagy helps alleviate high glucose-induced lipid deposition. This study provides insights into the control of lipophagy in response to metabolic stress.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)