earticle

영어

Marine mussels attach to substrates using adhesive proteins. It has been suggested that complex coacervation (liquid-liquid phase separation via concentration) might be involved in the highly condensed and non-water dispersed adhesion process of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs). However, as purified natural MAPs are difficult to obtain, it has not been possible to experimentally validate the coacervation model. We demonstrate complex coacervation in a system including recombinant MAPs. Our recombinant hybrid MAPs can be produced in large quantities, and are readily purified. We observed successful complex coacervation using cationic MAP and an anionic partner. Importantly, we found that highly condensed complex coacervates significantly increased the bulk adhesive strength of MAPs in both dry and wet environments. Especially, underwater adhesion was possible using the coacervated MAPs. Collectively, our results indicate that a complex coacervation system based on MAPs shows superior adhesive properties, combined with additional valuable features including liquid/liquid phase separation and appropriate viscoelasticity. Our coacervated mussel adhesive could be useful in the development of underwater adhesion for use in biomedical applications.