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Interfacial pH during mussel adhesive plaque formation
Nadine R Martinez Rodriguez1, Saurabh Das, Yair Kaufman
1a Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology , University of California , Santa Barbara , CA , USA.
Abstract:
Mussel (Mytilus californianus) adhesion to marine surfaces involves an intricate and adaptive synergy of molecules and spatio-temporal processes. Although the molecules, such as mussel foot proteins (mfps), are well characterized, deposition details remain vague and speculative. Developing methods for the precise surveillance of conditions that apply during mfp deposition would aid both in understanding mussel adhesion and translating this adhesion into useful technologies. To probe the interfacial pH at which mussels buffer the local environment during mfp deposition, a lipid bilayer with tethered pH-sensitive fluorochromes was assembled on mica. The interfacial pH during foot contact with modified mica ranged from 2.2 to 3.3, which is well below the seawater pH of ~ 8. The acidic pH serves multiple functions: it limits mfp-Dopa oxidation, thereby enabling the catecholic functionalities to adsorb to surface oxides by H-bonding and metal ion coordination, and provides a solubility switch for mfps, most of which aggregate at pH ≥ 7-8.
Insights
Mussels create strong marine adhesion by lowering the interfacial pH to 2.2-3.3 during protein deposition. This acidic environment optimizes mussel foot protein (mfp) functionality and adhesion to surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Marine Biology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Mussel adhesion relies on mussel foot proteins (mfps) and spatio-temporal deposition processes.
- While mfps are known, the precise conditions during their deposition remain unclear.
- Understanding deposition conditions is key to both mussel adhesion research and technological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interfacial pH during mussel foot protein deposition.
- To understand how mussels regulate the local environment for effective adhesion.
- To provide insights for developing biomimetic adhesion technologies.
Main Methods:
- Assembled a lipid bilayer on mica with tethered pH-sensitive fluorochromes.
- Measured interfacial pH during mussel foot contact with the modified mica surface.
Main Results:
- The interfacial pH during foot contact was measured to be between 2.2 and 3.3.
- This pH is significantly lower than typical seawater pH (~8).
- The acidic conditions were found to limit mfp-Dopa oxidation and control mfp solubility.
Conclusions:
- Mussels actively create an acidic microenvironment during adhesion.
- This acidic interfacial pH is crucial for optimizing mussel foot protein adsorption and function.
- Findings advance understanding of mussel adhesion mechanisms and inform biomimetic material design.
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