Browsing by Author "Graham, LD"

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    Preliminary SAXS and SANS studies of protein-based adhesive elastomer secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti
    (The Bragg Institute, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, 2005-11-27) Graham, LD; White, JW; Knott, RB
    When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete an exudate which rapidly forms a tacky elastic solid (frog glue). This protein-based material acts as a promiscuous pressure-sensitive adhesive that functions even in wet conditions. The adhesive strength and elasticity if the glue make this an attractive material for orthopedic repairs and other surgical procedures, possibly including topical would closure. Protein analysis of the denaturing gel electrophoresis revels a characteristic pattern of bands with apparent molecular masses of 13-500 kDa, with the largest protein also being the most abundant one. This large protein (called Nb-1R) appears to be the major structural component of the glue. Key issues understanding of the function of all proteins are shape and 3D structure. The Small Angle X-Ray and Neutron Scattering (SAXS and SANS) techniques are well suited to explore the shape of proteins in solution and these techniques have been applied to various forms of the frog glue, Scattering results indicated an Rg of 2.0-3,6nm, which is consistent with globular proteins of 30-170kDa. One possible explanation to the difference between the molecular mass ranges deduced from gel electrophoresis and scattering data is the dominant protein is elongated rather than spherical.