Glueomics: An Expression Survey of the Adhesive Gland of the Sandcastle Worm

Authors: Endrizzi, Betsy; Stewart, Russell

Source: Journal of Adhesion, Volume 85, Number 8, August 2009 , pp. 546-559(14)

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Abstract:

Random clones were sequenced from a cDNA library constructed from the adhesive gland of Phragmatopoma californica, a marine polycheate that builds protective shells by gluing together sand grains and biogenic mineral fragments. As many as 14 new proteins and two phenoloxidase enzymes were found that may be structural components of or involved in processing the bioadhesive. Glue protein classification was based on the following criteria: (i) the presence of predicted secretion signal peptides, (ii) low complexity sequences, (iii) strongly skewed amino acid compositions enriched with G, Y, K, H, A, or S, (iv) repeating peptide motifs, and (v) homology to known glue proteins, other structural proteins, or enzymes. The new genes provide probes for further characterization of the adhesive gland as well as potential biotechnological resources and insight.

Keywords: Bioadhesive; Glycine-tyrosine rich; Matrix proteins; Phragmatopoma californica; Polycheates

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00218460902996457

Affiliations: 1: Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Publication date: 2009-08-01