The aim of the study was to compare cellular effects of xenobiotic cadmium and biogenic copper in ampullate silk glands of false black widow Steatoda grossa spider after long-term exposure via ingestion under laboratory conditions. Both the level of selected detoxification parameters (glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and the level of total antioxidant capacity) and degree of genotoxic changes (comet assay) were determined in the silk glands. Additionally the contents of selected amino acids (L-Ala, L-Pro, L-His, L-Phe, DL-Ile, and DL-Asn) in the hunting webs produced by spiders of this species were assessed. The ability of S. grossa females to accumulate cadmium was higher than that for copper. Long-term exposure of spiders to copper did not change the level of detoxification parameters, and the level of DNA damage in the cells of ampullate silk glands was also low. Cadmium had a stronger prooxidative and genotoxic effect than copper in the cells of the analyzed silk glands. However, regardless of the type of metal used, no significant changes in the level of amino acids in silk were found. The obtained results confirmed the effectiveness of metal neutralization mechanisms in the body of the studied spider species, which results in the protection of the function of ampullate silk glands.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108564 | DOI Listing |
Int J Biol Macromol
December 2024
Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (Chongqing) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, China; Key Laboratory for Germplasm Creation in Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chongqing, China; Engineering Laboratory of Sericultural and Functional Genome and Biotechnology, Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing, China. Electronic address:
Silkworm (Bombyx mori), belonging to the order Lepidoptera, is an important model insect for economic and scientific research. The capacity of the silkworm to secrete robust silk renders it a valuable economic resource, while its biological characteristics offer insights into a number of scientific disciplines. Despite the extensive research conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of silk secretion, many aspects remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Yibin Academy of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. Electronic address:
Endoreplication is particularly important in the context of silk protein synthesis within the silk gland cells of silkworms. Our previous research indicated that the BmE2F1 enhances the silk yield of silkworm cocoons, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we employed RNA-sequencing to dissect the transcriptional profiles of silk glands in the wild-type Dazao silkworm strain and the overexpression (OE) silkworm strain with specific overexpression of the BmE2F1 gene in silk glands.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
November 2024
College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Spider silk is part of a special class of natural protein fibers that have high strength and toughness: these materials have excellent comprehensive properties that are not found in other natural fibers (including silk) or most synthetic fibers. Spider egg case filaments have good hardness, can resist water, can protect spider eggs from external threats, have a significantly high initial modulus and high moisture absorption rate, and are expected to be used as a new generation of environmentally friendly natural polymer fibers and biomaterials. However, spiders are predatory and difficult to rear in large numbers, and it is also difficult to obtain spider egg case filaments in large quantities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Mater
December 2024
Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
Long historical evolution and domestication endow silkworms with the super ability to synthesize and secrete massive silk proteins using silk glands. The major component of this secretion consists of silk fibroin, considered a promising biomaterial for tissue repairs and engineering. To further expand the utility of this unique protein, there is a continuing need for silk fibroin functionalization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomaterials
May 2025
Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation in Western China (CHONGQING) Science City, Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China. Electronic address:
Cleft palate is one of the most prevalent congenital craniofacial birth defects in human congenital facial anomaly. Severe cleft palate is usually accompanied by alveolar bone defects (ABDs). Growth factors (GFs) are considered as desirable opportunity to promote the craniofacial healing post the surgery.
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