A analysis staff at POSTECH has exposed the molecular mechanism at the back of the outstanding underwater adhesion of furry mussels (Barbatia virescens). Their findings, printed in Nature Communications, disclose an oxidation-independent adhesion procedure pushed by way of interactions between EGF/EGF-like domain names and GlcNAc-based biopolymers.
Marine organisms corresponding to mussels and barnacles are famend for his or her talent to stick firmly to surfaces, even in moist environments. Just about 40 years in the past, researchers known the epidermal expansion issue (EGF) area as a key part in mussel adhesive proteins. Since then, an identical adhesive proteins had been came upon in various organisms, together with marine species, snails, and spiders. Alternatively, the right mechanism at the back of EGF-based underwater adhesion remained elusive—till now.
The POSTECH staff exposed this mechanism by way of investigating the byssus of furry mussels, the place proteins containing EGF/EGF-like domain names bind strongly to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-based biopolymers. Their experiments published that those proteins showcase adhesion power greater than thrice more than well known wet-adhesive proteins, corresponding to mefp-5 (mussel foot protein) and suckerin (spider silk protein).
One of the crucial learn about’s maximum groundbreaking findings is that the EGF-GlcNAc adhesion mechanism does now not depend on oxidation, a defining function of conventional 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-based adhesives. This oxidation-independent procedure ends up in reversible and sturdy adhesion, making it extremely efficient throughout a spread of environments, whether or not moist or dry.
Analysis Professor Jimin Choi, the learn about’s first creator, defined, “GlcNAc is an element regularly present in organic tissues and biofilms, making it extremely flexible for packages in bioelectronics, tissue engineering, antifouling coatings, and extra.”
Professor Dong Soo Hwang, who additionally led the learn about, emphasised the wider implications in their findings, “This analysis is a important first step towards creating sustainable, high-performance underwater adhesives and medical-grade bioadhesives.”
Additional information:
Jimin Choi et al, Sticky organisms create underwater organic adhesives pushed by way of interactions between EGF- and GlcNAc- containing polysaccharides, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55476-4
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Pohang College of Science and Generation
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Molecular mechanism displays how furry mussels succeed in reversible underwater adhesion (2025, January 23)
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