NMR structure note: repetitive domain of aciniform spidroin 1 from Nephila antipodiana

摘要

Orb weaving spiders can generate up to 7 types of spider silks with their silk toolkits to realize specific tasks, such as locomotion, prey capture, egg protection and prey wrapping (Lewis 2006). Aciniform (Ac) silk, spun with aciniform spidroin (AcSp1), participates in prey wrapping, inner egg case construction and web decoration (Hayashi et al. 2004; Lewis 2006; Vasanthavada et al. 2007). It is reported of the highest toughness among the 7 spider silks and with mechanical properties superior to most synthetic materials including Kevlar, Nylon and high tensile steel (Hayashi et al. 2004).