Hydrogen-bonds mediate liquid-liquid phase separation of mussel derived adhesive peptides

Qi Guo, Guijin Zou, Xuliang Qian, Shujun Chen, Huajian Gao () and Jing Yu ()
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Qi Guo: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Guijin Zou: Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR
Xuliang Qian: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Shujun Chen: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Huajian Gao: Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR
Jing Yu: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Marine mussels achieve strong underwater adhesion by depositing mussel foot proteins (Mfps) that form coacervates during the protein secretion. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the phase separation behaviors of the Mfps are still not fully understood. Here, we report that GK-16*, a peptide derived from the primary adhesive protein Mfp-5, forms coacervate in seawater conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations combined with point mutation experiments demonstrate that Dopa- and Gly- mediated hydrogen-bonding interactions are essential in the coacervation process. The properties of GK-16* coacervates could be controlled by tuning the strength of the electrostatic and Dopa-mediated hydrogen bond interactions via controlling the pH and salt concentration of the solution. The GK-16* coacervate undergoes a pH induced liquid-to-gel transition, which can be utilized for the underwater delivery and curing of the adhesives. Our study provides useful molecular design principles for the development of mussel-inspired peptidyl coacervate adhesives with tunable properties.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33545-w

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