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Cited by 1,000Polymer Surface Interaction StudiesCalcium Carbonate Crystallization and InhibitionMarine Biology and Environmental Chemistry

Iron-Clad Fibers: A Metal-Based Biological Strategy for Hard Flexible Coatings

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Harrington, Matthew J., Masic, Admir, Holten-Andersen, Niels, Waite, J. Herbert, Fratzl, Peter·2010·Science
DOI 10.1126/science.1181044PMC PMC3087814
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Abstract

The extensible byssal threads of marine mussels are shielded from abrasion in wave-swept habitats by an outer cuticle that is largely proteinaceous and approximately fivefold harder than the thread core. Threads from several species exhibit granular cuticles containing a protein that is rich in the catecholic amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) as well as inorganic ions, notably Fe3+. Granular cuticles exhibit a remarkable combination of high hardness and high extensibility. We explored byssus cuticle chemistry by means of in situ resonance Raman spectroscopy and demonstrated that the cuticle is a polymeric scaffold stabilized by catecholato-iron chelate complexes having an unusual clustered distribution. Consistent with byssal cuticle chemistry and mechanics, we present a model in which dense cross-linking in the granules provides hardness, whereas the less cross-linked matrix provides extensibility.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.1181044

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  • Coordination bonding and strong chelating bonding with transition metal compounds occur between catechol or diketone groups on the polydopamine coating layer and the interface of inorganic biosubstitutes, along with protein cross-linking.

    “Such coordination bonding and strong chelating bonding with transition metal compound occur between catechol or diketone groups on the PDA coating layer and the interface of inorganic biosubstitutes along with the protein cross-linking [61–66].”

    From Polydopamine-Assisted Surface Modification for Bone Biosubstitutes (2016) · cites this paper as [62]

    The indexed passage labeled Abstract (page unavailable) describes catechol–iron coordination and cross-links between mussel foot protein chains, supporting the general bonding mechanism. It does not establish that such bonds occur at an inorganic biosubstitute interface on a polydopamine (PDA) coating, or that diketone groups participate. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • On certain specific inorganic biosubstitute surfaces, such as negatively charged oxidized silicone, electrostatic interaction from protonated amino groups can enhance adhesion of biomolecules to the surface.

    “Meanwhile, on certain specific surfaces of inorganic biosubstitutes (e.g., negatively charged oxidized silicone), the electrostatic interaction from protonated amino group can also enhance the adhesion of biomolecules to the surface of biosubstitutes [62, 67].”

    From Polydopamine-Assisted Surface Modification for Bone Biosubstitutes (2016) · cites this paper as [62]

    The paper’s discussion of mussel byssus cuticles describes dopa–metal cross-links and their mechanical role (section labeled Abstract; page unavailable). Searches for protonated amino groups, electrostatic surface adhesion, and oxidized silicone found no passage addressing the claimed mechanism. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 22

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Authors
Harrington, M. J., Masic, A., Holten-Andersen, N., Waite, J. H., & Fratzl, P.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (DE)
  • Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam 14424, Germany.
  • Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
Corresponding author
Harrington, Matthew J.
ORCID
Venue
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published
2010-04-09
Volume
328
Issue
5975
Pages
216-220
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.1181044
PMC
PMC3087814
OpenAlex
W2011556452
Cited by
1,000
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 70 · 2022: 81 · 2021: 70 · 2020: 76 · 2019: 73 · 2018: 71 · 2017: 59 · 2016: 75 · 2015: 69 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 49
FWCI
20.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R01DE018468, R01DE015415)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Surfaces, Coatings and Films › Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Ocean Engineering › Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
Keywords
byssal threads, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, crosslinking, bioinspired coatings, Mytilidae
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Structures, Biomechanical Phenomena, Dihydroxyphenylalanine, Ferric Compounds, Hardness, Iron, Models, Biological, Proteins, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid, Mytilus, Chemical Phenomena

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