Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

10.4K
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
10.4K
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

2.8K
Intermediate filaments (IFs) do not undergo spontaneous disassembly. Enzymes, kinases, and phosphatases add and remove phosphates from specific sites to regulate their disassembly. The IF concentration in the cytoplasm also regulates the disassembly. If the concentration crosses a threshold, it activates the protein kinases in the vicinity, allowing the phosphorylation of IFs.
Keratin proteins, found at the cell periphery near cell junctions, undergo a cycle of assembly and disassembly. In Type...
2.8K
Globular and Fibrous Proteins02:21

Globular and Fibrous Proteins

48.2K
Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
48.2K
The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

6.0K
The intermediate filaments are one of three widely studied cytoskeletal filaments. They are so named as their diameter (10 nm) is in between that of microfilaments (7 nm) and the microtubules (25 nm).  These filaments are highly stable and can remain intact when exposed to high salt concentrations and detergents. These filaments are responsible for providing stability and mechanical support to the cells. They also help in cell adhesion and maintaining tissue integrity.
Intermediate...
6.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Statistical analysis of Casson hybrid nanofluid flow over a stenotic artery.

Discover nano·2026
Same author

Heat transfer analysis of non-Newtonian hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretching surface using an artificial neural network.

Discover nano·2026
Same author

Artificial intelligence neural network and fuzzy modelling of unsteady Sisko trihybrid nanofluids for cancer therapy with entropy insights.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Enhanced ionic conductivity of proton-conducting flaxseed gum based biopolymer electrolyte for energy storage.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2024
Same author

Heat transfer innovation of engine oil conveying SWCNTs-MWCNTs-TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles embedded in a porous stretching cylinder.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Spectroscopic, quantum chemical investigation and molecular docking studies on N-(2-benzoylamino) phenyl benzamide: A novel SARS-CoV-2 drug.

Journal of molecular recognition : JMR·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands
09:47

Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands

Published on: January 11, 2011

16.4K

Structural and optical studies on selected web spinning spider silks.

R Karthikeyani1, A Divya2, T Mathavan2

  • 1Centre for Biodiversity and Forest Studies, School of Energy, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021, Tamil Nadu, India.

Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
|July 17, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This study analyzed spider silk structures and optical properties using spectroscopy. Findings reveal amorphous polymer networks and alpha-helix contributions, paving the way for novel silk-based fiber production.

Keywords:
Optical propertiesSide chain amino acidSpider silkα-Helical

More Related Videos

Synthetic Spider Silk Production on a Laboratory Scale
13:36

Synthetic Spider Silk Production on a Laboratory Scale

Published on: July 18, 2012

27.6K
Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers
08:28

Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers

Published on: September 4, 2017

10.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands
09:47

Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands

Published on: January 11, 2011

16.4K
Synthetic Spider Silk Production on a Laboratory Scale
13:36

Synthetic Spider Silk Production on a Laboratory Scale

Published on: July 18, 2012

27.6K
Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers
08:28

Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers

Published on: September 4, 2017

10.6K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Spider silks exhibit diverse structural and mechanical properties.
  • Understanding silk protein composition is crucial for biomaterial development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural and optical properties of cribellate silk from Stegodyphus sarasinorum and dragline/viscid silk from Argiope pulchella and Nephila pilipes.
  • To explore the protein moieties and their association with secondary structures (alpha-helix vs. beta-sheet).
  • To determine the optical properties and their relationship across different spider silk types.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis.
  • Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for functional group identification.
  • Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy for optical property determination.
  • Fluorescence spectroscopy to detect amino acid contributions.

Main Results:

  • X-ray diffraction confirmed amorphous polymer networks in all studied silks, attributed to amino acid side chains.
  • FTIR spectra revealed protein peaks in amide regions, indicating alpha-helical and side-chain contributions.
  • UV-Vis analysis provided insights into optical properties like refractive index and dielectric constants.
  • Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the presence of tyrosine, a key fluorescent amino acid.

Conclusions:

  • Spider silks possess amorphous polymer networks and protein moieties associated with alpha-helix and side-chain amino acids, rather than beta-sheet structures.
  • Spectroscopic characterization provides a foundation for understanding silk's internal structure and optical behavior.
  • This knowledge can enable industrial production of advanced silk-based fibers under mild conditions.