Cited by 722Polymer Surface Interaction StudiesMarine Biology and Environmental ChemistryAdhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions

Adaptive synergy between catechol and lysine promotes wet adhesion by surface salt displacement

Maier, Greg P., Rapp, Michael V., Waite, J. Herbert, Israelachvili, Jacob N., Butler, Alison·2015·Science

Abstract

In physiological fluids and seawater, adhesion of synthetic polymers to solid surfaces is severely limited by high salt, pH, and hydration, yet these conditions have not deterred the evolution of effective adhesion by mussels. Mussel foot proteins provide insights about adhesive adaptations: Notably, the abundance and proximity of catecholic Dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and lysine residues hint at a synergistic interplay in adhesion. Certain siderophores—bacterial iron chelators—consist of paired catechol and lysine functionalities, thereby providing a convenient experimental platform to explore molecular synergies in bioadhesion. These siderophores and synthetic analogs exhibit robust adhesion energies (E(ad) ≥-15 millijoules per square meter) to mica in saline pH 3.5 to 7.5 and resist oxidation. The adjacent catechol-lysine placement provides a "one-two punch," whereby lysine evicts hydrated cations from the mineral surface, allowing catechol binding to underlying oxides.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.aab0556

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Authors
Maier, G. P., Rapp, M. V., Waite, J. H., Israelachvili, J. N., & Butler, A.
Affiliations
University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
Corresponding author
  • Maier, Greg P.
  • Rapp, Michael V.
  • Waite, J. Herbert
  • Israelachvili, Jacob N.
  • Butler, Alison
Venue
Science
Published
2015-08-07
Volume
349
Issue
6248
Pages
628-632
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W1585589485
Cited by
722
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 44 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 64 · 2023: 80 · 2022: 96 · 2021: 98 · 2020: 66 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 55 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 4
FWCI
19.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (DMR 1121053)
  • NSF (CHE-1411942)
  • NSF GRFP
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Surfaces, Coatings and Films › Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Ocean Engineering › Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanics of Materials › Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions
Keywords
wet adhesion, catechol, lysine, mussel foot proteins, DOPA, siderophores, bioadhesion, synthetic polymers, mica, saline environment, adhesion energy, iron chelators
MeSH terms
Adhesiveness, Adhesives, Aluminum Silicates, Catechols, Dihydroxyphenylalanine, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Lysine, Oxidation-Reduction, Proteins, Titanium, Siderophores, Molecular Mimicry

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