Electrostatic charges instigate 'concertina-like' mechanisms of molecular toughening in MaSp1 (spider silk) proteins

Mahdi Pahlevan; Martti Toivakka; Parvez Alam

doi:10.1016/j.msec.2014.04.062

Electrostatic charges instigate 'concertina-like' mechanisms of molecular toughening in MaSp1 (spider silk) proteins

Mahdi Pahlevan, Martti Toivakka, Parvez Alam

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

According to a recent article authored by Ortega-Jimenez and Dudley [1], the capture success of spiders is in part due to electrostatic charges on the surfaces of insects that macroscopically deform the spider web and increase the chances of insect-web contact. In this brief communication, we further show that electrostatic charges instigate a molecular 'concertina-like' mechanism of deformation in MaSp1 protein, which effectively begins the toughening-up of dragline silk threads prior to insect-web contact.

Original language	Undefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)	329–334
Number of pages	6
Journal	Materials Science and Engineering: C
Volume	41
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2014.04.062
Publication status	Published - 2014
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

Deformation
Interfaces
Mechanical properties
Polymers

Access to Document

10.1016/j.msec.2014.04.062

Cite this

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title = "Electrostatic charges instigate 'concertina-like' mechanisms of molecular toughening in MaSp1 (spider silk) proteins",

abstract = "According to a recent article authored by Ortega-Jimenez and Dudley [1], the capture success of spiders is in part due to electrostatic charges on the surfaces of insects that macroscopically deform the spider web and increase the chances of insect-web contact. In this brief communication, we further show that electrostatic charges instigate a molecular 'concertina-like' mechanism of deformation in MaSp1 protein, which effectively begins the toughening-up of dragline silk threads prior to insect-web contact.",

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AU - Toivakka, Martti

AU - Alam, Parvez

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AB - According to a recent article authored by Ortega-Jimenez and Dudley [1], the capture success of spiders is in part due to electrostatic charges on the surfaces of insects that macroscopically deform the spider web and increase the chances of insect-web contact. In this brief communication, we further show that electrostatic charges instigate a molecular 'concertina-like' mechanism of deformation in MaSp1 protein, which effectively begins the toughening-up of dragline silk threads prior to insect-web contact.

KW - Deformation

KW - Interfaces

KW - Mechanical properties

KW - Polymers

KW - Deformation

KW - Interfaces

KW - Mechanical properties

KW - Polymers

KW - Deformation

KW - Interfaces

KW - Mechanical properties

KW - Polymers

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JO - Materials Science and Engineering: C

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