scholarly journals Interspecies comparison of sea star adhesive proteins

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1784) ◽  
pp. 20190195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Lengerer ◽  
Morgane Algrain ◽  
Mathilde Lefevre ◽  
Jérôme Delroisse ◽  
Elise Hennebert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Surface ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Surface Binding ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Adhesive Material ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
The Common ◽  
Adhesive Proteins ◽  
Tube Feet

Sea stars use adhesive secretions to attach their numerous tube feet strongly and temporarily to diverse surfaces. After detachment of the tube feet, the adhesive material stays bound to the substrate as so-called ‘footprints’. In the common sea star species Asterias rubens , the adhesive material has been studied extensively and the first sea star footprint protein (Sfp1) has been characterized. We identified Sfp1-like sequences in 17 additional sea star species, representing different taxa and tube foot morphologies, and analysed the evolutionary conservation of this protein. In A. rubens , we confirmed the expression of 34 footprint proteins in the tube foot adhesive epidermis, with 22 being exclusively expressed in secretory cells of the adhesive epidermis and 12 showing an additional expression in the stem epidermis. The sequences were used for BLAST searches in seven asteroid transcriptomes providing a first insight in the conservation of footprint proteins among sea stars. Our results highlighted a high conservation of the large proteins making up the structural core of the footprints, whereas smaller, potential surface-binding proteins might be more variable among sea star species. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transdisciplinary approaches to the study of adhesion and adhesives in biological systems’.

Micro- and nanostructure of the adhesive material secreted by the tube feet of the sea star Asterias rubens

2008 ◽  
Vol 164 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Hennebert ◽  
Pascal Viville ◽  
Roberto Lazzaroni ◽  
Patrick Flammang
Keyword(s):  
Sea Star ◽  
Asterias Rubens ◽  
Adhesive Material ◽  
Tube Feet

scholarly journals On the Nanomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Coatings Made of Recombinant Sea Star Adhesive Proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Lefevre ◽  
Thi Quynh Tran ◽  
Thomas De Muijlder ◽  
Bede Pittenger ◽  
Patrick Flammang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Properties Of Coatings ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Nanomechanical Properties ◽  
Adhesive Proteins

To attach to surfaces in the sea, sea stars produce proteinaceous adhesive secretions. Sfp1 is a major constituent of this adhesive, where it is present in the form of four subunits (named Sfp1α to δ) displaying specific protein-, carbohydrate- and metal-binding domains. Recently, two recombinant proteins inspired from Sfp1 have been produced: one corresponding to the C-terminal part of Sfp1β and the other to the full-length Sfp1δ. Adsorption ability tests showed that both recombinant proteins were able to adsorb and to form coatings on different surfaces in artificial seawater as well as in Tris buffer supplemented with NaCl or CaCl2. In this study, we used Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to characterize the nanomechanical properties of these coatings with an emphasis on functional characteristics such as adhesive properties and modulus of elasticity. We used AFM techniques which are the most appropriate to characterize the coating microstructure combined with the mapping of its nanomechanical properties.

A study of the temporary adhesion of the podia in the sea star asterias rubens (Echinodermata, asteroidea) through their footprints

1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (16) ◽  
pp. 2383-2395 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Flammang ◽  
A Michel ◽  
AV Cauwenberge ◽  
H Alexandre ◽  
M Jangoux
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Uronic Acids ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Asterias Rubens ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Adhesive Material ◽  
Outermost Layer ◽  
Protein Moiety

Sea stars are able to make firm but temporary attachments to various substrata owing to secretions released by their podia. A duo-glandular model has been proposed in which an adhesive material is released by two types of non-ciliated secretory (NCS1 and NCS2) cells and a de-adhesive material is released by ciliated secretory (CS) cells. The chemical composition of these materials and the way in which they function have been investigated by studying the adhesive footprints left by the asteroids each time they adhere to a substratum. The footprints of Asterias rubens consist of a sponge-like material deposited as a thin layer on the substratum. Inorganic residues apart, this material is made up mainly of proteins and carbohydrates. The protein moiety contains significant amounts of both charged (especially acidic) and uncharged polar residues as well as half-cystine. The carbohydrate moiety is also acidic, comprising both uronic acids and sulphate groups. Polyclonal antibodies have been raised against footprint material and were used to locate the origin of footprint constituents in the podia. Extensive immunoreactivity was detected in the secretory granules of both NCS1 and NCS2 cells, suggesting that their secretions together make up the bulk of the adhesive material. No immunoreactivity was detected in the secretory granules of CS cells, and the only other structure strongly labelled was the outermost layer of the cuticle, the fuzzy coat. This pattern of immunoreactivity suggests that the secretions of CS cells are not incorporated into the footprints, but instead might function to jettison the fuzzy coat, thereby allowing the podium to detach.

scholarly journals The structural and chemical basis of temporary adhesion in the sea star Asterina gibbosa

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 2071-2086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Lengerer ◽  
Marie Bonneel ◽  
Mathilde Lefevre ◽  
Elise Hennebert ◽  
Philippe Leclère ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Gland Cell ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Interference Microscopy ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Promising Source ◽  
Tube Feet ◽  
Scanning Electron

Background: Marine biological adhesives are a promising source of inspiration for biomedical and industrial applications. Nevertheless, natural adhesives and especially temporary adhesion systems are mostly unexplored. Sea stars are able to repeatedly attach and detach their hydraulic tube feet. This ability is based on a duo-gland system and, upon detachment, the adhesive material stays behind on the substrate as a 'footprint'. In recent years, characterization of sea star temporary adhesion has been focussed on the forcipulatid species Asterias rubens. Results: We investigated the temporary adhesion system in the distantly related valvatid species Asterina gibbosa. The morphology of tube feet was described using histological sections, transmission-, and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural investigations revealed two adhesive gland cell types that both form electron-dense secretory granules with a more lucid outer rim and one de-adhesive gland cell type with homogenous granules. The footprints comprised a meshwork on top of a thin layer. This topography was consistently observed using various methods like scanning electron microscopy, 3D confocal interference microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and light microscopy with crystal violet staining. Additionally, we tested 24 commercially available lectins and two antibodies for their ability to label the adhesive epidermis and footprints. Out of 15 lectins labelling structures in the area of the duo-gland adhesive system, only one also labelled footprints indicating the presence of glycoconjugates with α-linked mannose in the secreted material. Conclusion: Despite the distant relationship between the two sea star species, the morphology of tube feet and topography of footprints in A. gibbosa shared many features with the previously described findings in A. rubens. These similarities might be due to the adaptation to a benthic life on rocky intertidal areas. Lectin- and immuno-labelling indicated similarities but also some differences in adhesive composition between the two species. Further research on the temporary adhesive of A. gibbosa will allow the identification of conserved motifs in sea star adhesion and might facilitate the development of biomimetic, reversible glues.

scholarly journals Sea star inspired crawling and bouncing

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (162) ◽  
pp. 20190700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Heydari ◽  
Amy Johnson ◽  
Olaf Ellers ◽  
Matthew J. McHenry ◽  
Eva Kanso
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Hierarchical Control ◽  
The Body ◽  
System Level ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Control Laws ◽  
Structural Connection ◽  
Tube Feet

The oral surface of sea stars is lined with arrays of tube feet that enable them to achieve highly controlled locomotion on various terrains. The activity of the tube feet is orchestrated by a nervous system that is distributed throughout the body without a central brain. How such a distributed nervous system produces a coordinated locomotion is yet to be understood. We develop mathematical models of the biomechanics of the tube feet and the sea star body. In the model, the feet are coupled mechanically through their structural connection to a rigid body. We formulate hierarchical control laws that capture salient features of the sea star nervous system. Namely, at the tube foot level, the power and recovery strokes follow a state-dependent feedback controller. At the system level, a directionality command is communicated through the nervous system to all tube feet. We study the locomotion gaits afforded by this hierarchical control model. We find that these minimally coupled tube feet coordinate to generate robust forward locomotion, reminiscent of the crawling motion of sea stars, on various terrains and for heterogeneous tube feet parameters and initial conditions. Our model also predicts a transition from crawling to bouncing consistently with recent experiments. We conclude by commenting on the implications of these findings for understanding the neuromechanics of sea stars and their potential application to autonomous robotic systems.

scholarly journals Sea stars generate downforce to stay attached to surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hermes ◽  
Mitul Luhar
Keyword(s):  
Body Shape ◽  
Control Volume ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Morphological Plasticity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Hydrodynamic Loads ◽  
Spherical Dome ◽  
Star Models

AbstractIntertidal sea stars often function in environments with extreme hydrodynamic loads that can compromise their ability to remain attached to surfaces. While behavioral responses such as burrowing into sand or sheltering in rock crevices can help minimize hydrodynamic loads, previous work shows that sea stars also alter body shape in response to flow conditions. This morphological plasticity suggests that sea star body shape may play an important hydrodynamic role. In this study, we measured the fluid forces acting on surface-mounted sea star and spherical dome models in water channel tests. All sea star models created downforce, i.e., the fluid pushed the body towards the surface. In contrast, the spherical dome generated lift. We also used Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to measure the midplane flow field around the models. Control volume analyses based on the PIV data show that downforce arises because the sea star bodies serve as ramps that divert fluid away from the surface. These observations are further rationalized using force predictions and flow visualizations from numerical simulations. The discovery of downforce generation could explain why sea stars are shaped as they are: the pentaradial geometry aids attachment to surfaces in the presence of high hydrodynamic loads.

Sea star-inspired recombinant adhesive proteins self-assemble and adsorb on surfaces in aqueous environments to form cytocompatible coatings

2020 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 62-74
Author(s):  
Mathilde Lefevre ◽  
Patrick Flammang ◽  
A. Sesilja Aranko ◽  
Markus B. Linder ◽  
Thomas Scheibel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Star ◽  
Aqueous Environments ◽  
Adhesive Proteins

scholarly journals Disease epidemic and a marine heat wave are associated with the continental-scale collapse of a pivotal predator (Pycnopodia helianthoides)

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. eaau7042 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Harvell ◽  
D. Montecino-Latorre ◽  
J. M. Caldwell ◽  
J. M. Burt ◽  
K. Bosley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Wasting Disease ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Endemic Birds ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
The Common ◽  
Trawl Surveys

Multihost infectious disease outbreaks have endangered wildlife, causing extinction of frogs and endemic birds, and widespread declines of bats, corals, and abalone. Since 2013, a sea star wasting disease has affected >20 sea star species from Mexico to Alaska. The common, predatory sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), shown to be highly susceptible to sea star wasting disease, has been extirpated across most of its range. Diver surveys conducted in shallow nearshore waters (n= 10,956; 2006–2017) from California to Alaska and deep offshore (55 to 1280 m) trawl surveys from California to Washington (n= 8968; 2004–2016) reveal 80 to 100% declines across a ~3000-km range. Furthermore, timing of peak declines in nearshore waters coincided with anomalously warm sea surface temperatures. The rapid, widespread decline of this pivotal subtidal predator threatens its persistence and may have large ecosystem-level consequences.

?Tethyaster albertensis, a Late Cretaceous (Turonian) sea star from the Cardium Formation, Alberta, Canada

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell L. Hall ◽  
Suzan Moore
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Peace River ◽  
The North ◽  
The Family ◽  
Cardium Formation ◽  
Northern Alberta ◽  
Limited Change

Although many of the surviving lineages of sea stars appeared during an early Mesozoic radiation of the class and have undergone limited change since then, they have left a very poor fossil record, particularly in the Mesozoic of North America (Blake, 1981). This record from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta is made more significant by the fact that it is apparently only the second occurrence of a member of the family Astropectinidae in the Cretaceous of North America; Lophidiaster silentiensis was described by McLearn (1944) from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Hasler Formation, from a now-submerged locality on the Peace River in northern Alberta. All previously recorded fossil sea stars from the North American Cretaceous are representatives of the family Goniasteridae.

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