Investigation of the Structural Role and Function of Egg Case Protein-2 (ECP-2) in Latrodectus hesperus
Poster Number
16
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Craig Vierra
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Due to certain characteristics of spider silk, such as high elasticity and tensile strength, continued research in discovering different spider silk genes can result in many industrial uses. Ultimately, the goal is to be able to produce a spider silk-like protein for artificial fiber spinning. An important gene involved in spider silk formation is ECP-2. Egg case silk from the tubliform gland is identified to be pretty extensible in comparison to dragline silk, which is known to be the strongest fiber made by the black widow spider. However, the precise functions of the gene are still unknown. Using quantitative real-time PCR to analyze the protein, it was found that ECP-2 is predominantly expressed in the tubuliform gland. It is known that this gene plays an important role in the formation of the egg case silk fiber, but the exact manner in which it works has not yet been discovered. It is hypothesized that ECP-2 covers the exterior of the egg case protein fibers. The goal was to induce the Full Length ECP-2 cDNA to express the recombinant protein. To do this, a cloning vector was ligated with ECP-2 cDNA insert and transformed into bacterial cells. Induction followed using arabinose, and then the cells were lysed, and a western blot was performed to check for target protein expression. The purpose was to acquire enough purified protein to do further research on the qualities and properties of the protein.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2011 6:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2011 8:00 PM
Investigation of the Structural Role and Function of Egg Case Protein-2 (ECP-2) in Latrodectus hesperus
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Due to certain characteristics of spider silk, such as high elasticity and tensile strength, continued research in discovering different spider silk genes can result in many industrial uses. Ultimately, the goal is to be able to produce a spider silk-like protein for artificial fiber spinning. An important gene involved in spider silk formation is ECP-2. Egg case silk from the tubliform gland is identified to be pretty extensible in comparison to dragline silk, which is known to be the strongest fiber made by the black widow spider. However, the precise functions of the gene are still unknown. Using quantitative real-time PCR to analyze the protein, it was found that ECP-2 is predominantly expressed in the tubuliform gland. It is known that this gene plays an important role in the formation of the egg case silk fiber, but the exact manner in which it works has not yet been discovered. It is hypothesized that ECP-2 covers the exterior of the egg case protein fibers. The goal was to induce the Full Length ECP-2 cDNA to express the recombinant protein. To do this, a cloning vector was ligated with ECP-2 cDNA insert and transformed into bacterial cells. Induction followed using arabinose, and then the cells were lysed, and a western blot was performed to check for target protein expression. The purpose was to acquire enough purified protein to do further research on the qualities and properties of the protein.