Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2008):

Identification and characterization of multiple Spidroin 1 genes encoding major ampullate silk proteins in Nephila clavipes.

Full Abstract

Spider dragline silk is primarily composed of proteins called major ampullate spidroins (MaSps) that consist of a large repeat array flanked by nonrepetitive N- and C-terminal domains. Until recently, there has been little evidence for more than one gene encoding each of the two major spidroin silk proteins, MaSp1 and MaSp2. Here, we report the deduced N-terminal domain sequences for two distinct MaSp1 genes from Nephila clavipes (MaSp1A and MaSp1B) and for MaSp2. All three MaSp genes are co-expressed in the major ampullate gland. A search of the GenBank database also revealed two distinct MaSp1 C-terminal domain sequences. Sequencing confirmed that both MaSp1 genes are present in all seven Nephila clavipes spiders examined. The presence of nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes confirmed that MaSp1A and MaSp1B are distinct genetic loci and not merely alleles of the same gene. We experimentally determined the transcription start sites for all three MaSp genes and established preliminary pairing between the two MaSp1 N- and C-terminal domains. Phylogenetic analysis of these new sequences and other published MaSp N- and C-terminal domain sequences illustrated that duplications of MaSp genes may be widespread among spider species.

Author information

Author/s: Gaines, W A (WA); Marcotte, W R (WR);

Affiliation: Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Insect molecular biology (Insect Mol Biol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 17 (issue 5) : pp 465-74

Dates: Created 2008/10/02; Completed 2008/12/31;

PMID: 18828837, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Amino Acid Sequence Animals DNA, Complementary - genetics Female Fibroins - chemistry; genetics Genes, Insect Insect Proteins - chemistry; genetics

Molecular Sequence Data Phylogeny Protein Structure, Tertiary RNA Ligase (ATP) - metabolism Sequence Alignment Silk - chemistry; genetics Spiders - genetics; metabolism

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: DNA, Complementary (0) ; Insect Proteins (0) ; Silk (0) ; spidroin 1 (0) ; Fibroins (9007-76-5) ; tRNA splicing ligase (EC 6.5.1.-) ; RNA Ligase (ATP) (EC 6.5.1.3)

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