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Biocompatibility and modification of the protein‐based adhesive secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti
Author(s) -
Graham Lloyd D.,
Da Stephen J.,
Johnson Graham,
Braybrook Carl,
Hart Noel K.,
Varley Russell J.,
Evans Margaret D. M.,
McFarland Gail A.,
Tyler Michael J.,
Werkmeister Jerome A.,
Ramshaw John A. M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.32559
Subject(s) - glue , biocompatibility , secretion , materials science , adhesive , biophysics , exudate , biochemistry , biology , nanotechnology , botany , layer (electronics) , composite material , metallurgy
When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete a proteinaceous exudate, which rapidly forms a tacky and elastic glue. This material has potential in biomedical applications. Cultured cells attached and proliferated well on glue‐coated tissue culture polystyrene, but migrated somewhat slower than on uncoated surfaces. In organ culture, dissolved glue successfully adhered collagen‐coated perfluoropolyether lenses to debrided bovine corneas and supported epithelial regrowth. Small pellets of glue implanted subcutaneously into mice were resorbed by surrounding tissues, and all of the animals made a full recovery. An initial but transient skin necrosis at the implant site was probably caused by some of the potentially toxic metabolites present in the frog secretion; these include sterols and carotenoids, as well as fatty alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and aromatic compounds. Removal of the carotenoid pigments did not significantly alter the glue's material properties. In contrast, peroxidase treatment of dissolved glue introduced unnatural crosslinks between molecules of the major protein (Nb‐1R) and resulted in the formation of a soft hydrogel, which was very different to the original material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010