Cu(II) effect on the conformation of regenerated silk fibroin in dilute aqueous solution

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Cu(II) effect on the conformation of regenerated silk fibroin in dilute aqueous solution
Engineering Village 2
? 2006 Elsevier Inc
Accession number: 9002236

Title: Cu(II) effect on the conformation of regenerated silk fibroin in dilute aqueous solution

Authors: Zong Xiaohong1 ; Zhou Ping1 ; Shao Zhengzhong1 ; Wang Honghai; Chunyu Lijuan

Author affiliation: 1 Dept. of Macromolecular Sci., Fudan Univ., Shanghai, China

Serial title: Chinese Science Bulletin

Abbreviated serial title: Chin. Sci. Bull. (China)

Volume: 50

Issue: 17

Publication date: Sept. 2005

Pages: 1859-63

Language: English

ISSN: 1001-6538

CODEN: CSBUEF

Document type: Journal article (JA)

Publisher: Science Press

Country of publication: China

Material Identity Number: M966-2005-025

Abstract: Much attention has been paid to the natural mechanism of silkworm spinning due to the impressive mechanical properties of the natural fibers. In this work, we studied the effect of Cu(II) ions on the secondary structure of Bombyx mori regenerated silk fibroin (SF) in dilute solution by circular dichroism (CD). The results indicate that a given amount of Cu(II) induces the SF conformational transition from random coil to ?-sheet, however, further addition of Cu(II) is unfavorable for this conversion. Meanwhile, the conformational changes induced by Cu(II) follow a nucleation-dependent aggregation mechanism, which is similar to that found in Prion protein (PrP) denaturation and A?-peptide aggregations, leading to the neurodegenerative disease. This work would help one understand further the natural spinning process of silkworm. Additionally, it would be significant for the study of the nervous system diseases, because silk fibroin, extracted in large amounts from Bombyx mori silkworm gland, could be a proper model to study PrP denaturation and A?-peptide aggregations

Number of references: 26

Inspec controlled terms: aggregation - biochemistry - biomembranes - circular dichroism - copper - diseases - molecular biophysics - molecular configurations - neurophysiology - nucleation - proteins

Uncontrolled terms: Cu(II) ions - Bombyx mori - silk fibroin conformation transition - dilute aqueous solution - silkworm spinning process - natural fibers - secondary fibroin structure - circular dichroism - random coil-to-?-sheet transition - nucleation-dependent aggregation mechanism - Prion protein denaturation - A?-peptide aggregations - neurodegenerative disease - nervous system diseases - silkworm gland

Inspec classification codes: A8720E Natural and artificial biomembranes - A8715B Biomolecular structure, configuration, conformation, and active sites - A8715D Physical chemistry of biomolecular solutions; condensed states - A8715K Biomolecular interactions, charge transfer complexes - A8715M Interactions with radiations at the biomolecular level - A3345D Optical activity, optical rotation, circular dichroism in molecules

Treatment: Experimental (EXP); Practical (PRA)

Discipline: Physics (A)

DOI: 10.1360/982004-717

Database: Inspec

Copyright 2006, The Institution of Engineering and Technology
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