C Sakr, P Cook, M Seiter, C Hörweg, S Žák, M Cordill, M Burghammer, M Sztucki, H Lichtenegger
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Arthropods and especially scorpions often use metal ions to harden their cuticle. In this study we analyse the chitin fibre arrangement, metal content and distribution and mechanical properties of the stingers of two scorpions: the buthid scorpion Centruroides platnicki (PS) and the diplocentrid scorpion Nebo whitei (NS). Results show that both scorpions incorporate the same elements, Zn, Mn and Ca, but in different locations in the stinger cuticle. While NS uses Zn ions as hardening agent in the epicuticle, PS uses Mn/Ca ions. Interestingly, Zn ions were also found in PS but had no impact on the enhancement of the mechanical properties of the stinger. The use of different metal ions in biological materials is likely to enable precise adjustments of material properties to suit not only mechanical but biological functions as well.
期刊介绍：
Journal of Structural Biology (JSB) has an open access mirror journal, the Journal of Structural Biology: X (JSBX), sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. Since both journals share the same editorial system, you may submit your manuscript via either journal homepage. You will be prompted during submission (and revision) to choose in which to publish your article. The editors and reviewers are not aware of the choice you made until the article has been published online. JSB and JSBX publish papers dealing with the structural analysis of living material at every level of organization by all methods that lead to an understanding of biological function in terms of molecular and supermolecular structure.
Techniques covered include:
• Light microscopy including confocal microscopy
• All types of electron microscopy
• X-ray diffraction
• Nuclear magnetic resonance
• Scanning force microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and tunneling microscopy
• Digital image processing
• Computational insights into structure
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