Replicating shear-mediated self-assembly of spider silk through microfluidics

Jianming Chen, Arata Tsuchida, Ali D. Malay, Kousuke Tsuchiya, Hiroyasu Masunaga, Yui Tsuji, Mako Kuzumoto, Kenji Urayama, Hirofumi Shintaku and Keiji Numata ()
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Jianming Chen: Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Arata Tsuchida: Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN
Ali D. Malay: Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
Kousuke Tsuchiya: Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku
Hiroyasu Masunaga: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute
Yui Tsuji: Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku
Mako Kuzumoto: Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku
Kenji Urayama: Kyoto University, Nishikyo-ku
Hirofumi Shintaku: Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN
Keiji Numata: Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The development of artificial spider silk with properties similar to native silk has been a challenging task in materials science. In this study, we use a microfluidic device to create continuous fibers based on recombinant MaSp2 spidroin. The strategy incorporates ion-induced liquid-liquid phase separation, pH-driven fibrillation, and shear-dependent induction of β-sheet formation. We find that a threshold shear stress of approximately 72 Pa is required for fiber formation, and that β-sheet formation is dependent on the presence of polyalanine blocks in the repetitive sequence. The MaSp2 fiber formed has a β-sheet content (29.2%) comparable to that of native dragline with a shear stress requirement of 111 Pa. Interestingly, the polyalanine blocks have limited influence on the occurrence of liquid-liquid phase separation and hierarchical structure. These results offer insights into the shear-induced crystallization and sequence-structure relationship of spider silk and have significant implications for the rational design of artificially spun fibers.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44733-1

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