Slug glue reveals clues to make better medical adhesives

Orlando, Florida (April 8, 2019) – The Dusky Arion slug produces a defensive glue that clogs the mouth of any potential predator. Two new studies reveal more about how this glue achieves its high stickiness and flexibility, information that could be used to create better medical adhesives.

"Typical sutures such as staples and stitches often result in scarring and create holes in the skin that could increase the chance of infection after surgery," said Rebecca Falconer, who led the team's research. one of the studies. "Understanding the role of adhesive proteins in slug glue would help create a medical adhesive that can move and stretch while retaining its strength and adhesive power."

Falconer and Christopher Gallego-Lazo, undergraduate researchers at Andrew Smith's PhD laboratory at Ithaca College, will present their research at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, to be held in Montreal. 2019 from April 6th to 9th in Orlando, Fla.

Falconer badyzed 11 slug adhesive-specific proteins previously identified by Smith's research team. Using recombinant DNA technology, she produced abundant amounts of each protein for badysis. The techniques that she has developed could also be used to replicate proteins for a synthetic glue.

The badysis revealed that some of the proteins tend to bind to themselves or to other proteins to form a three-dimensional network. These results suggest that this oligomerization may be necessary for some of the proteins to be most functional.

Gallego-Lazo's study is focused on understanding the dual network structure that makes the slug adhesive very deformable, but able to withstand great forces. The glue has a rigid protein network that uses sacrificial bonds to absorb energy, thus protecting a network of deformable and intermingled carbohydrates.

Gallego-Lazo discovered that the modification of the specific chemical bonds within the protein network of the slug glue modified the strength of the glue. These bonds can be reformed naturally, allowing the glue to deform while maintaining its strength.

"Few studies on biological adhesives have identified the exact nature of the bonds that hold the glue together," Gallego-Lazo said. "This knowledge can guide the development of an organic synthetic adhesive that would reduce the risk of infection and scarring compared to stitches and staples and could be applied quickly and simply."

###

Experimental Biology is an annual gathering of more than 14,000 scientists and exhibitors from five host companies and numerous invited companies. With a mission to share the latest scientific concepts and research results that shape clinical advances, the meeting provides an unprecedented opportunity for exchange between scientists from across the United States and around the world representing dozens of fields. scientists from the laboratory to translational and clinical research.
http: // www.Experimental biology.org #expbio

ASBMB is a non-profit scientific and educational organization with more than 12,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1906 to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology, the company publishes three peer-reviewed journals, advocates funding for basic research and education, supports scientific education at all levels and promotes the diversity of individuals entering the scientific population. http: // www.ASBMB.org

You will find more news and fact sheets on: https: //www.EurekAlert.org /meetings /eb /2019 /writing/

Warning: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of the news releases published on EurekAlert! contributing institutions or for the use of any information via the EurekAlert system.