Citation
Madurga, Rodrigo and Plaza Baonza, Gustavo Ramón and Blackledge, Todd A and Guinea Tortuero, Gustavo Víctor and Elices Calafat, Manuel and Pérez Rigueiro, José
(2016).
Material properties of evolutionary diverse spider silks described by variation in a single structural parameter.
"Scientific Reports", v. 6
(n. 18991);
pp. 1-8.
ISSN 2045-2322.
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep18991.
Abstract
Spider major ampullate gland silks (MAS) vary greatly in material properties among species but, this variation is shown here to be confined to evolutionary shifts along a single universal performance trajectory. This reveals an underlying design principle that is maintained across large changes in both spider ecology and silk chemistry. Persistence of this design principle becomes apparent after the material properties are defined relative to the true alignment parameter, which describes the orientation and stretching of the protein chains in the silk fiber. Our results show that the mechanical behavior of all Entelegynae major ampullate silk fibers, under any conditions, are described by this single parameter that connects the sequential action of three deformation micromechanisms during stretching: stressing of protein-protein hydrogen bonds, rotation of the ?-nanocrystals and growth of the ordered fraction. Conservation of these traits for over 230 million years is an indication of the optimal design of the material and gives valuable clues for the production of biomimetic counterparts based on major ampullate spider silk.