Cited by 99Silk-based biomaterials and applicationsSpider Taxonomy and Behavior StudiesSilkworms and Sericulture Research

Multicomponent nature underlies the extraordinary mechanical properties of spider dragline silk

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Kono, Nobuaki, Nakamura, Hiroyuki, Mori, Masaru, Yoshida, Yuki, Ohtoshi, Rintaro, Malay, Ali D., Pedrazzoli Moran, Daniel A., Tomita, Masaru +2 more·2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

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Abstract

Significance: Artificial synthesis of spider silk has been actively pursued. However, until now, the natural mechanical properties of spider silk have been largely unreproducible. We thoroughly investigated the genomes and transcripts of four related species of orb-weaver spiders as well as the proteins in their silk threads. Then, in addition to spidroin, we found several low-molecular-weight proteins in common. Interestingly, the low-molecular-weight protein component of spider dragline silk doubled the tensile strength of artificial silk–based material. This discovery will greatly advance the industry and research on the use of protein-based materials.

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Authors
Kono, N., Nakamura, H., Mori, M., Yoshida, Y., Ohtoshi, R., Malay, A. D., Pedrazzoli Moran, D. A., Tomita, M., Numata, K., & Arakawa, K.
Affiliations
  • Keio University (JP)
  • Spiber (Japan) (JP)
  • RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (JP)
  • Spiber Inc., 234-1 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan;
  • Kyoto University (JP)
Corresponding author
Arakawa, Kazuharu
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2021-07-26
Volume
118
Issue
31
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W3183671013
Cited by
99
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 4
FWCI
4.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • ImPACT Program of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (2014-PM06-01-01)
  • Yamagata Prefectural Government and Tsuruoka City, Japan (YMGT2020)
  • Nakatsuji Foresight Foundation (NFF2020)
  • Sumitomo Foundation (190426)
  • The Uehara Memorial Foundation (202010238)
  • MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (21H02210)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Silk-based biomaterials and applications
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Silkworms and Sericulture Research
Keywords
spider dragline silk, spidroin, silk mechanical properties, toughness, tensile strength, extensibility, biopolymers
MeSH terms
Animals, Fibroins, Spiders, Genome, Silk, Transcriptome

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