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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel
Published on: January 27, 2014
Implementing Zn2+ ion and pH-value control into artificial mussel glue proteins by abstracting a His-rich domain from
Sandra Arias1, Shahrouz Amini2, Jana M Krüger1
1Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Chemistry, Laboratory for Organic Synthesis of Functional Systems, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, Berlin D-12489, Germany. h.boerner@HU-Berlin.de.
Abstract:
A His-rich domain of preCollagen-D found in byssal threads is derivatized with Cys and Dopa flanks to allow for mussel-inspired polymerization. Artificial mussel glue proteins are accessed that combine cysteinyldopa for adhesion with sequences for pH or Zn2+ induced β-sheet formation. The artificial constructs show strong adsorption to Al2O3, the resulting coatings tolerate hypersaline conditions and cohesion is improved by activating the β-sheet formation, that enhances E-modulus up to 60%.
