Researchers decipher starfish glue cocktail and solvent
Starfish can attach themselves firmly to underwater surfaces. If they come off again after a while, a characteristic imprint of the adhesive remains. A team led by Birgit Lengerer from the University of Innsbruck has now identified the complex composition of the natural glue and the associated starfish’s own solvent. The team reports on this in the journal “Open Biology”.
As early as 2020, a team led by Lengerer, who works at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Innsbruck, presented a list of 171 protein sequences in the specialist journal that make up the adhesive mixture with which the common limpet (Patella vulgata) flexibly attaches and attaches itself to sea rocks filed. Now the analysis of the cocktail in the common starfish (Asterias rubens) began.
Breakdown of protein compounds
Two different cell types are responsible for secreting the mixture in the animals. These each contribute different layers to the “footprint” left behind after detachment. In addition, there are cells that are crucial for detachment. The scientists have now been able to understand which of the 16 “starfish footprint proteins” are secreted by which cell types and which substances originate from the decoupling cells.
Based on their analyses, the team assumes that all the different footprint proteins also fulfill different tasks. Two of them therefore dock first to the surface. Six other substances ensure that the connection also holds tight, while the others seem to provide a kind of scaffolding in the connection. As a result, science blocks proteins of each of the different subgroups. It turned out that they actually fulfill such different tasks.
A special proteinase, which is capable of splitting protein compounds, is responsible for degluing. If it is poured out, this loosens the connection between the foot of the starfish and the glue mixture. All that remains is the imprint and the animal can continue on its way through the sea.