A cohort of new adhesive proteins identified from transcriptomic analysis of mussel foot glands.

摘要: The adaptive attachment of marine mussels to a wide range substrates in high-energy, saline environment has been explored for decades and is significant driver bioinspired wet adhesion research. Mussel relies on fibrous holdfast known as the byssus, which made by specialized appendage called foot. Multiple adhesive structural proteins are rapidly synthesized, secreted moulded foot into threads. About 10 well-characterized proteins, namely mussel (Mfps), preCols thread matrix reported representing bulk these structures. To explore how robust this proposition is, we sequenced transcriptome glandular tissues that produce secrete various components using next-generation sequencing methods. Surprisingly, found around 15 highly expressed genes have not previously characterized, but bear key similarities defined suggesting additional contribution byssal function. We verified validity transcripts polymerase chain reaction, cloning Sanger well confirming their presence byssus. These newly identified greatly expand palette biochemistry provide new targets investigation adhesion.