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Nanofiber Formation in Spider Dragline-Silk as Probed by Atomic Force Microscopy and Molecular Pulling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2011

Emin Oroudjev,
Cheryl Y. Hayashi,
Jason Soares,
Steven Arcidiacono,
Stephen A. Fossey and
Helen G. Hansma
Emin Oroudjev
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A.
Cheryl Y. Hayashi
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, U.S.A.
Jason Soares
Affiliation:
US Army Natick R&D Center, Natick, MA 01760, U.S.A.
Steven Arcidiacono
Affiliation:
US Army Natick R&D Center, Natick, MA 01760, U.S.A.
Stephen A. Fossey
Affiliation:
US Army Natick R&D Center, Natick, MA 01760, U.S.A.
Helen G. Hansma
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Despite the extensive interest in its remarkable materials properties, the structure of spider dragline silk is not yet known. Indirect structural information is thus of particular interest. New data are presented here from two probe microscopy techniques – atomic force microscopy (AFM) and single-molecule force spectroscopy, or ‘molecular pulling.’ Using a soluble synthetic protein from dragline silk, segmented silk nanofibers have been observed by AFM. Molecular pulling (Force Spectroscopy) has revealed sawtooth-like rupture peaks, indicative of the sacrificial bonds and hidden lengths seen in molecules of other self-healing biomaterials. A model is presented for the folding of single dragline-silk molecules and the arrangement of these molecules into nanofibers. The relationship is discussed between these molecular / nanoscale results and the materials properties of natural and artificial dragline silks.

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References

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