Comparative mucomic analysis of three functionally distinct Cornu aspersum Secretions

Antonio R. Cerullo, Maxwell B. McDermott, Lauren E. Pepi, Zhi-Lun Liu, Diariou Barry, Sheng Zhang, Xu Yang, Xi Chen, Parastoo Azadi, Mande Holford and Adam B. Braunschweig ()
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Antonio R. Cerullo: Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Maxwell B. McDermott: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College
Lauren E. Pepi: University of Georgia
Zhi-Lun Liu: Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Diariou Barry: Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Sheng Zhang: Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Xu Yang: University of Georgia
Xi Chen: Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Parastoo Azadi: University of Georgia
Mande Holford: Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Adam B. Braunschweig: Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Every animal secretes mucus, placing them among the most diverse biological materials. Mucus hydrogels are complex mixtures of water, ions, carbohydrates, and proteins. Uncertainty surrounding their composition and how interactions between components contribute to mucus function complicates efforts to exploit their properties. There is substantial interest in commercializing mucus from the garden snail, Cornu aspersum, for skincare, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and composite materials. C. aspersum secretes three mucus—one shielding the animal from environmental threats, one adhesive mucus from the pedal surface of the foot, and another pedal mucus that is lubricating. It remains a mystery how compositional differences account for their substantially different properties. Here, we characterize mucus proteins, glycosylation, ion content, and mechanical properties that could be used to provide insight into structure-function relationships through an integrative “mucomics” approach. We identify macromolecular components of these hydrogels, including a previously unreported protein class termed Conserved Anterior Mollusk Proteins (CAMPs). Revealing differences between C. aspersum mucus shows how considering structure at all levels can inform the design of mucus-inspired materials.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41094-z

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