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

Mahdi Pahlevan, Martti Toivakka, Parvez Alam

    Tutkimustuotos: LehtiartikkeliArtikkeliTieteellinenvertaisarvioitu

    11 Sitaatiot (Scopus)

    Abstrakti

    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.
    AlkuperäiskieliEi tiedossa
    Sivut329–334
    Sivumäärä6
    JulkaisuMaterials Science and Engineering: C
    Vuosikerta41
    DOI - pysyväislinkit
    TilaJulkaistu - 2014
    OKM-julkaisutyyppiA1 Julkaistu artikkeli, soviteltu

    Keywords

    • Deformation
    • Interfaces
    • Mechanical properties
    • Polymers

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