“`html
A research group at POSTECH, directed by Professor Dong Soo Hwang from the Division of Environmental Science and Engineering as well as the Division of Interdisciplinary Bioscience & Bioengineering at the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, along with Research Professor Jimin Choi from the POSTECH Institute of Environmental and Energy Technology, has discovered the molecular basis of the exceptional underwater adhesion displayed by hairy mussels (Barbatia virescens). Their research, published in Nature Communications, uncovers an adhesion mechanism that operates independently of oxidation, driven by interactions between EGF/EGF-like domains and biopolymers based on GlcNAc.
Mussels and barnacles are well-known for their incredible ability to stick to surfaces even in aquatic environments. Nearly four decades ago, scientists pinpointed the epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain as a crucial element in the adhesive proteins of mussels. Since then, similar proteins have been found in various organisms, including other marine animals, snails, and spiders. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism governing EGF-based underwater adhesion had remained unclear until this discovery.
The POSTECH researchers investigated the byssus of hairy mussels and discovered that proteins containing EGF/EGF-like domains bonded strongly with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-based biopolymers. Their studies showed that these proteins have adhesion energy more than three times higher than that of well-known wet-adhesive proteins, such as mefp-5 (mussel foot protein) and suckerin (spider silk protein).
One of the team’s most significant discoveries is that the EGF-GlcNAc adhesion mechanism does not depend on oxidation, which is a key characteristic of conventional 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-based adhesives. This oxidation-independent mechanism ensures adhesion that is both reversible and long-lasting, making it efficient in various conditions, whether wet or dry.
Research Professor Jimin Choi, the lead author of the study, noted, “GlcNAc is a substance commonly present in biological tissues and biofilms, offering great versatility for its use in bioelectronics, tissue engineering, antifouling coatings, and beyond.” Professor Dong Soo Hwang highlighted the broader significance of their research, stating, “This study is a pivotal first step in creating sustainable, high-performance underwater adhesives and bioadhesives suitable for medical applications.”
This research received support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education through the NRF’s 2022 Basic Research Program.
“`
