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- Holten-Andersen, Niels, et al.
(author)
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Metals and the integrity of a biological coating : The cuticle of mussel byssus
- 2009
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In: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 25:6, s. 3323-3326
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cuticle of mussel byssal threads is a robust natural coating that combines high extensibility with high stiffness and hardness. In this study, fluorescence microscopy and elemental analysis were exploited to show that the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (dopa) residues of mussel foot protein-1 colocalize with Fe and Ca distributions in the cuticle of Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel byssal threads. Chelated removal of Fe and Ca from the cuticle of intact threads resulted in a 50% reduction in cuticle hardness, and thin sections subjected to the same treatment showed a disruption of cuticle integrity. Dopa-metal complexes may provide significant interactions for the integrity of composite cuticles deformed under tension.
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