Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands

Modern spiders spin high-performance silk fibers with a broad range of biological functions, including locomotion, prey capture and protection of developing offspring ^1,2. Spiders accomplish these tasks by spinning several distinct fiber types that have diverse mechanical properties. Such specialization of fiber types has occurred through the evolution of different silk-producing glands, which function as small biofactories. These biofactories manufacture and store large quantities of silk proteins for fiber production. Through a complex series of biochemical events, these silk proteins are converted from a liquid into a solid material upon extrusion.Mechanical studies have demonstrated that spider silks are stronger than high-tensile steel ³. Analyses to understand the relationship between the structure and function of spider silk threads have revealed that spider silk consists largely of proteins, or fibroins, that have block repeats within their protein sequences ⁴. Common molecular signatures that contribute to the incredible tensile strength and extensibility of spider silks are being unraveled through the analyses of translated silk cDNAs. Given the extraordinary material properties of spider silks, research labs across the globe are racing to understand and mimic the spinning process to produce synthetic silk fibers for commercial, military and industrial applications. One of the main challenges to spinning artificial spider silk in the research lab involves a complete understanding of the biochemical processes that occur during extrusion of the fibers from the silk-producing glands.Here we present a method for the isolation of the seven different silk-producing glands from the cobweaving black widow spider, which includes the major and minor ampullate glands [manufactures dragline and scaffolding silk] ^5,6, tubuliform [synthesizes egg case silk] ^7,8, flagelliform [unknown function in cob-weavers], aggregate [makes glue silk], aciniform [synthesizes prey wrapping and egg case threads] ⁹ and pyriform [produces attachment disc silk] ¹⁰. This approach is based upon anesthetizing the spider with carbon dioxide gas, subsequent separation of the cephalothorax from the abdomen, and microdissection of the abdomen to obtain the silk-producing glands. Following the separation of the different silk-producing glands, these tissues can be used to retrieve different macromolecules for distinct biochemical analyses, including quantitative real-time PCR, northern- and western blotting, mass spectrometry (MS or MS/MS) analyses to identify new silk protein sequences, search for proteins that participate in the silk assembly pathway, or use the intact tissue for cell culture or histological experiments.     

A comparison of the composition of silk proteins produced by spiders and insects.

Proteins that are highly expressed and composed of amino acids that are costly to synthesize are likely to place a greater drain on an organism's energy resources than proteins that are composed of ingested amino acids or ones that are metabolically simple to produce. Silks are highly expressed proteins produced by all spiders and many insects. We compared the metabolic costs of silks spun by arthropods by calculating the amount of ATP required to produce their component amino acids. Although a definitive conclusion requires detailed information on the dietary pools of amino acids available to arthropods, on the basis of the central metabolic pathways, silks spun by herbivorous, Lepidoptera larvae require significantly less ATP to synthesize than the dragline silks spun by predatory spiders. While not enough data are available to draw a statistically based conclusion, comparison of homologous silks across ancestral and derived taxa of the Araneoidea seems to suggest an evolutionary trend towards reduced silk costs. However, comparison of the synthetic costs of dragline silks across all araneomorph spiders suggests a complicated evolutionary pattern that cannot be attributed to phylogenetic position alone. We propose that the diverse silk-producing systems of the araneoid spiders (including three types of protein glues and three types of silk fibroin), evolved through intra-organ competition and that taxon-specific differences in the composition of silks drawn from homologous glands may reflect limited or fluctuating amino acid availability. The different functional properties of spider silks may be a secondary result of selection acting on different polypeptide templates.     

Gene expression analysis in the larval silk gland of the eri silkworm Samia ricini

Insects produce silk for a range of purposes. In the Lepidoptera, silk is utilized as a material for cocoon production and serves to protect larvae from adverse environmental conditions or predators. Species in the Saturniidae family produce an especially wide variety of cocoons, for example, large, golden colored cocoons and those with many small holes. Although gene expression in the silk gland of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) has been extensively studied, considerably fewer investigations have focused on members of the saturniid family. Here, we established expression sequence tags from the silk gland of the eri silkworm (Samia ricini), a saturniid species, and used these to analyze gene expression. Although we identified the fibroin heavy chain gene in the established library, genes for other major silk proteins, such as fibroin light chain and fibrohexamerin, were absent. This finding is consistent with previous reports that these latter proteins are lacking in saturniid silk. Recently, a series of fibrohexamerin‐like genes were identified in the Bombyx genome. We used this information to conduct a detailed analysis of the library established here. This analysis identified putative homologues of these genes. We also found several genes encoding small silk protein molecules that are also present in the silk of other Lepidoptera. Gene expression patterns were compared between eri and domestic silkworm, and both conserved and nonconserved expression patterns were identified for the tested genes. Such differential gene expression might be one of the major causes of the differences in silk properties between these species. We believe that our study can be of value as a basic catalogue for silk gland gene expression, which will yield to the further understanding of silk evolution.     

An independently evolved Dipteran silk with features common to Lepidopteran silks

Male hilarine flies (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae) present prospective mates with silk-wrapped gifts. The silk is produced by specialised cells located in the foreleg basitarsus of the fly. In this report, we describe 2.3 kbp of the silk gene from a hilarine fly (Hilara spp.) that was identified from highly expressed mRNA extracted from the prothoracic basitarsus of males. Using specific primers, we found that the silk gene is expressed in the basitarsi and not in any other part of the male fly. The silk gene from the basitarsi cDNA library matched an approximately 220 kDa protein from the silk-producing basitarsus. Although the predicted silk protein sequence was unlike any other protein sequence in available databases, the architecture and composition of the predicted protein had features in common with previously described silks. The convergent evolution of these features in the Hilarini silk and other silks emphasises their importance in the functional requirements of silk proteins.     

High-Toughness Silk Produced by a Transgenic Silkworm Expressing Spider (Araneus ventricosus) Dragline Silk Protein

Spider dragline silk is a natural fiber that has excellent tensile properties; however, it is difficult to produce artificially as a long, strong fiber. Here, the spider (Araneus ventricosus) dragline protein gene was cloned and a transgenic silkworm was generated, that expressed the fusion protein of the fibroin heavy chain and spider dragline protein in cocoon silk. The spider silk protein content ranged from 0.37 to 0.61% w/w (1.4–2.4 mol%) native silkworm fibroin. Using a good silk-producing strain, C515, as the transgenic silkworm can make the raw silk from its cocoons for the first time. The tensile characteristics (toughness) of the raw silk improved by 53% after the introduction of spider dragline silk protein; the improvement depended on the quantity of the expressed spider dragline protein. To demonstrate the commercial feasibility for machine reeling, weaving, and sewing, we used the transgenic spider silk to weave a vest and scarf; this was the first application of spider silk fibers from transgenic silkworms.     

Proteome analysis of silk gland proteins from the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The silk gland of Bombyx mori is an organ specialized for the synthesis and secretion of silk proteins. We report here the resolution of silk gland proteins by 2-DE and the identification of many of those proteins. This was accomplished by dissecting the glands into several sections, with each exhibiting more than 400 protein spots by 2-DE, of which 100 spots were excised and characterized by in-gel digestion followed by PMF. Ninety-three proteins were tentatively identified. These were then categorized into groups involved in silk protein secretion, transport, lipid metabolism, defense, etc. Western blotting of a 2-DE gel using an antibody of the carotenoid binding protein confirmed the presence of this protein in the silk gland. Proteins including fibroin L-chain and P25 were found as multiple isoforms, some of which contained differential amounts of phosphate residues as analyzed by on-probe dephosphorylation. The current analysis contributes to our understanding of proteins expressed by the silk gland not only of the model lepidopteran B. mori, but also to proteins from other silk-producing insects such as Philosamia cynthia ricini.     

青冈林土壤动物群落结构在落叶分解过程中的演替变化

１９９３年５月－１９９５年４月,采用落叶袋法研究了中亚热带青冈（Ｃｙｃｌｏｂａｌａｎｏｐｓｉｓｇｌａｕｃａ）林土壤动物在落叶分离过程中的演替,变化,用多样性指数,演替指数,相似系数分析土壤动物群落结构的季节变化和在落叶分解过程中的演替,分解出现的类群,密度最高的为蜱螨目（Ａｃａｒｉｎａ）其次为弹尾目（Ｃｏｌｌｅｍｂｏｌａ）,二者个体数之和占总数的９２．７％,其他依次为：双翅目（Ｄｉｐｔｅｒａ）膜翅     

Analysis of the diet of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros in the West of Ireland

The diet of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros was investigated over one season by analysing faeces and discarded insect fragments collected on polythene sheets at eight roosts. Remains of 23 insect families from seven orders (Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera) and of spiders (Araneae: Arachnida) were identified. Nematoceran Diptera were the chief prey but Lepidoptera, Trichoptera and Neuroptera were also important. Both locational and seasonal variation were demonstrated for some food categories. The predicted seasonal availability of the different insect taxa is broadly reflected in the results: the question of possible prey selection is discussed. The bat fed successfully on three families of Lepidoptera known to possess hearing organs sensitive to bat ultrasounds. The possible mechanisms by which R. hipposideros might catch such prey are reviewed.     

Spidroins from the Brazilian spider Nephilengys cruentata (Araneae: Nephilidae)

Spiders produce up to six different kinds of silk, each one for a specific biological function. Spider silks are also known for their unique mechanical properties. The possibility of producing new materials with similar properties motivated research on these silk proteins (spidroins). Using expression sequence tags, we identified four spidroins produced by major ampullate, minor ampullate, flagelliform and tubuliform silk glands from the Brazilian spider Nephilengys cruentata (Araneae: Nephilidae). The new protein sequences showed substantial similarity to other spidroins previously described, with high content of alanine and glycine due to the presence of the highly repetitive motifs (polyAla, (GA)_n, (GGX)_n, (GPGGX)_n). Similarities among sequences were also observed between the different spidroins with the exception of tubuliform spidroin, which presents a unique complex amino acid sequence with high amounts of serine and low amounts of glycine.     

美国白蛾丝素蛋白基因的鉴定、时空表达及取食不同寄主植物后的表达响应

美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea Drury被列为我国林业检疫性害虫,其l～4龄幼虫具有吐丝结网幕的习性.为探究丝素蛋白基因的表达特性,本研究利用PCR技术克隆了美国白蛾的HcP25(Genbank登录号:OL625670)、HcFib-H(Genbank登录号:OL625672)、HcFib-L(Genbank登录号:OL625671)3条丝素蛋白基因,并进行生物信息学分析;利用RT-qPCR技术检测美国白蛾3条丝素蛋白基因的表达特性.结果表明:3条丝素蛋白基因序列比对均与车前灯蛾Arctia plantaginis丝素蛋白一致性最高,系统进化分析显示丝素蛋白HcP25、HcFib-H、HcFib-L在鳞翅目不同科之间在出现较大的分化.RT-qPCR试验结果显示HcP25、HcFib-H、HcFib-L 3基因相对表达量与网幕产生高峰期(1龄、2龄)相一致.3种丝素蛋白均在丝腺中特异性高水平表达,在头部及脂肪体中有少量表达.美国白蛾幼虫取食不同寄主植物后,3种丝素蛋白基因呈现不同的表达规律;取食杨树Populus L.处理组中HcP25与HcFib-H基因相对表达量极显著高于取食其它寄主处理,而取食山樱花Cerasus serrulata var.lannesiana和日本晚樱Cerasus serrulata处理组中HcFib-L基因表达量最高.研究结果为进一步探究丝素蛋白介导的美国白蛾对不同寄主的适应机制及其扩散机制奠定基础,也为开发美国白蛾防治新方法提供了潜在的基因靶标.     

The accoutrements of spiders' eggs (Araneae) with an exploration of their functional importance

Analysis is presented of the characteristics of spheres coating the chorion surface of the eggs from 41 species belonging to 15 families of spiders. Examples of eggs from the arachnid orders Opiliones, Amblypygi and Uropygi are illustrated for the first time. The spheres are unique, among arachnids, to the Araneae. Their form and size class distributions overlap considerably between families and the spheres are present in all 22 families of Araneae that have been examined; they represent a very conservative morphological feature in the evolution of the Araneae. Evidence of specialized regions of the egg surface (micropyllar areas and plastrons) was found only in an opilionid. As spiders' eggs are laid in silk egg sacs, mostly in clutches, the possible effects of these characteristics are discussed from evidence in the literature and from a functional theoretic stance.     

More than one way to spin a crystallite: multiple trajectories through liquid crystallinity to solid silk

Arthropods face several key challenges in processing concentrated feedstocks of proteins (silk dope) into solid, semi-crystalline silk fibres. Strikingly, independently evolved lineages of silk-producing organisms have converged on the use of liquid crystal intermediates (mesophases) to reduce the viscosity of silk dope and assist the formation of supramolecular structure. However, the exact nature of the liquid-crystal-forming-units (mesogens) in silk dope, and the relationship between liquid crystallinity, protein structure and silk processing is yet to be fully elucidated. In this review, we focus on emerging differences in this area between the canonical silks containing extended-β-sheets made by silkworms and spiders, and ‘non-canonical’ silks made by other insect taxa in which the final crystallites are coiled-coils, collagen helices or cross-β-sheets. We compared the amino acid sequences and processing of natural, regenerated and recombinant silk proteins, finding that canonical and non-canonical silk proteins show marked differences in length, architecture, amino acid content and protein folding. Canonical silk proteins are long, flexible in solution and amphipathic; these features allow them both to form large, micelle-like mesogens in solution, and to transition to a crystallite-containing form due to mechanical deformation near the liquid–solid transition. By contrast, non-canonical silk proteins are short and have rod or lath-like structures that are well suited to act both as mesogens and as crystallites without a major intervening phase transition. Given many non-canonical silk proteins can be produced at high yield in E. coli, and that mesophase formation is a versatile way to direct numerous kinds of supramolecular structure, further elucidation of the natural processing of non-canonical silk proteins may to lead to new developments in the production of advanced protein materials.     

Evidence for diet effects on the composition of silk proteins produced by spiders

Silks are highly expressed, secreted proteins that represent a substantial metabolic cost to the insects and spiders that produce them. Female spiders in the superfamily Araneoidea (the orb-spinning spiders and their close relatives) spin six different kinds of silk (three fibroins and three fibrous protein glues) that differ in amino acid content and protein structure. In addition to this diversity in silks produced by different glands, we found that individual spiders of the same species can spin dragline silks (drawn from the spider's ampullate gland) that vary in content as well. Freely foraging ARGIOPE: argentata (Araneae: Araneoidea), collected from 13 Caribbean islands, produced dragline silk that showed an inverse relationship between the amount of serine and glycine they contained. X-ray microdiffraction of the silks localized these differences to the amorphous regions of the protein that are thought to lend silks their elasticity. The crystalline regions of the proteins, which lend silks their strength, were unaffected. Laboratory experiments with ARGIOPE: keyserlingi suggested that variation in silk composition reflects the type of prey the spiders were fed but not the total amount of prey they received. Hence, it may be that the amino acid content (and perhaps the mechanical properties) of dragline silk spun by ARGIOPE: directly reflect the spiders' diet. The ability to vary silk composition and, possibly, function is particularly important for organisms that disperse broadly, such as Argiope, and that occupy diverse habitats with diverse populations of prey.     

昆虫的丝和丝腺

文中介绍了吐丝昆虫的种类、昆虫丝的结构与成分、丝与丝腺的类型、吐丝器及泌丝行为等。并简述了丝对泌丝昆虫生活的重要性及近期虫丝的研究动态。     

Fine structural aspects of silk secretion in a spider (Araneus diadematus). I. Elaboration in the pyriform glands

Pyriform glands of Araneus diadematus which produce the silky material used for the attachment discs of the web, consist of two kinds of secretory cells. One, located in the distal half of the glands, elaborates finely fibrillar proteinic granules through an extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum; another, in the proximal half of the glands, secretes complex-structured granules in areas of the cell where Golgi and ergastoplasmic cisternae are equally developed. The opaque nascent granules of secretion appear in swollen Golgi saccules. These aggregate in superposed circular interconnected layers leaving an electron-lucent space between them; in the course of maturation the space is progressively filled with a fibrillar material. Histochemical tests suggest that the secretory product of the proximal half is mainly a protein rich in acidic groups and associated with a carbohydrate component. The two products, extruded by a merocrine process, form respectively the core and the envelope of the silk fibre. The dual composition of the pyriform gland silk, which did not appear from the results of chemical analyses, is compared to the association of fibroin and sericin in Lepidoptera silk and to certain double-layered Trichoptera silks.     

Amyloidogenic nature of spider silk.

In spiders soluble proteins are converted to form insoluble silk fibres, stronger than steel. The final fibre product has long been the subject of study; however, little is known about the conversion process in the silk-producing gland of the spider. Here we describe a study of the conversion of the soluble form of the major spider-silk protein, spidroin, directly extracted from the silk gland, to a beta-sheet enriched state using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Combined with electron microscopy (EM) data showing fibril formation in the beta-sheet rich region of the gland and amino-acid sequence analyses linking spidroin and amyloids, these results lead us to suggest that the refolding conversion is amyloid like. We also propose that spider silk could be a valuable model system for testing hypotheses concerning beta-sheet formation in other fibrilogenic systems, including amyloids.     

Attraction between social crab spiders: silk pheromones in Diaea socialis

The snare web is used as a medium for communication betweenindividuals within colonies of social spiders and has thereforebeen suggested as necessary for the evolution of sociality inthe Araneae. The social spider Diaea socialis (Thomisidae) isan exception because it does not build a snare web. Experimentsdemonstrate that silk attracts all spiders and that a chemicaldeposited onto the silk attracts adult female spiders, suggestingthat the group living of this species is mediated by a pheromone.The pheromone attracts spiders differentially: females are notattracted to juvenile silk, and it repels gravid females. Thepheromone appears to be stable but volatile, is ether-soluble,and retains its viability after dissolution. Molecular-ionicmasses for 7-8 different compounds were found in the range 220–281atomic units; the pheromone may be one or a combination of severalof these.     

Hemolin expression in the silk glands of Galleria mellonella in response to bacterial challenge and prior to cell disintegration

Hemolin, a member of the immunoglobulin protein superfamily, functions in Lepidoptera as an opsonin in defence against potential pathogens and seems to play a role in tissue morphogenesis. We show that hemolin gene is expressed in several organs of Galleria mellonella larvae, including the nervous system and the silk glands. The expression in the silk glands of the wandering larvae and their isolated abdomens is enhanced within 6 h after an injection of bacteria, lipopolysaccharides, or peptidoglycans. The magnitude of silk gland response to bacterial challenge is similar to that seen in the fat body. A profound rise of hemolin expression without bacterial inoculation occurs in the silk glands of isolated abdomens when they are induced to pupate by a topical application of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The induction of pupation is associated with silk gland programming for disintegration by apoptosis and phagocytosis. Administration of a juvenile hormone agonist prevents pupation and abolishes the stimulatory 20E effect on the hemolin expression. Hemolin protein can be immunodetected in the silk glands as well as in the spun-out cocoon silk. The results suggest that silk glands are a component of the insect immune system and that hemolin may mark the apoptic cells for the elimination by hemocytes.