Comparative mucomic analysis of three functionally distinct Cornu aspersum Secretions

Abstract

Every animal secretes mucus, placing them among the most diverse biological materials. Mucus hydrogels are complex mixtures of water, ions, carbohydrates, and proteins. Uncertainty surrounding their composition and how interactions between components contribute to mucus function complicates efforts to exploit their properties. There is substantial interest in commercializing mucus from the garden snail, Cornu aspersum, for skincare, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and composite materials. C. aspersum secretes three mucus—one shielding the animal from environmental threats, one adhesive mucus from the pedal surface of the foot, and another pedal mucus that is lubricating. It remains a mystery how compositional differences account for their substantially different properties. Here, we characterize mucus proteins, glycosylation, ion content, and mechanical properties that could be used to provide insight into structure-function relationships through an integrative “mucomics” approach. We identify macromolecular components of these hydrogels, including a previously unreported protein class termed Conserved Anterior Mollusk Proteins (CAMPs). Revealing differences between C. aspersum mucus shows how considering structure at all levels can inform the design of mucus-inspired materials.

Gastropod Slime-Based Gel as an Adjustable Synthetic Model for Human Airway Mucus

“…As previously introduced, it is known that a fundamental type of bond in mucus architecture is disulfide bond (S−S). 41 To verify that the slime-based gels are also cross-linked by the disulfide bonds, these were targeted using N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)-reducing agent. NAC (Viatris, France) was prepared at a concentration of 50 mM, corresponding to one adult dose, and added at a concentration of 5 vol % to a gelled sample.…”

“…As previously introduced, it is known that a fundamental type of bond in mucus architecture is disulfide bond (S–S) . To verify that the slime-based gels are also cross-linked by the disulfide bonds, these were targeted using N -acetyl cysteine (NAC)-reducing agent.…”

“…Other components such as ions, DNA and debris might be found as well. 41 Snail slime has been used and studied historically as a skin care product, 44,45 and more recently because of its adhesive and mechanical properties. 38,46 With the aid of a thiol cross-linker, we use snail slime to prepare a mucus model with tunable rheological properties.…”

“…Simultaneously, slime-producing animals such as tadpoles, snails, and hagfish have been gaining attention because of their slimes, which behave mechanically as hydrogels with very large deformability. Particularly, research efforts have enlightened the biochemical and structural composition of snail mucus, , and it was found that glycoproteins available in these mucus create 3D networks thanks to reversible and irreversible bonds, also found in native mucus (i.e., ion bridges, hydrogen and disulfide bonds). Additionally, snails can be farmed, and stimulated to produce slime on demand, for instance with the cruelty-free Muller method .…”

“…Snail slimes are complex mixtures of mainly water (at least 90%), and mucin-like glycoproteins accountable for their viscoelastic character. Other components such as ions, DNA and debris might be found as well . Snail slime has been used and studied historically as a skin care product, , and more recently because of its adhesive and mechanical properties. , …”