Major ampullate spidroins from Euprosthenops australis: multiplicity at protein, mRNA and gene levels

Abstract

Spider dragline silk possesses extraordinary mechanical properties. It consists of large fibrous proteins called spidroins that display modular structures. It is known to consist of two proteins: the major ampullate spidroin (MaSp) 1 and MaSp2. This study analyses MaSp sequences from the nursery-web spider Euprosthenops australis. We have identified a previously uncharacterized MaSp2 sequence and a new MaSp-like spidroin, which display distinct homogenous submotifs within their respective Gly-rich repeats. Furthermore, a group of MaSp1 cDNA clones show unexpected heterogeneity. Genomic PCR identified several MaSp1 gene variants within individual spiders, which suggests the presence of a gene cluster in E. australis. Finally, the evolution of spidroin genes is discussed in relation to phylogenetic analysis of nonrepetitive C-terminal domains from diverse species

Published in

Insect Molecular Biology
2007, volume: 16, number: 5, pages: 551-561
Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING

SLU Authors

• Bongcam Rudloff, Erik

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Engström, Wilhelm

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Rising, Anna

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2583.2007.00749.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/16991