Characterization and formation of coiled-coil structure in the silk produced by hornet larvae

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Hornet silks, fibrous proteins present in the cocoon produced by the larvae of vespa species, are composed of four major proteins. Complete amino acid sequences of the four major proteins(Vssilk 1-4) in the hornet silk produced by the yellow hornet(Vespa simillima, Vespinae, Vespidae) have been determined. The amino acid sequences in Vssilk 1-4 are highly divergent, but the four proteins have some common properties. The most attractive feature of these proteins is that they have anα-helix region, which includes coiled-coilα-helices, and aβ-sheet region. The aforementioned coiled-coil andβ-sheet structures are responsible for the intermolecular binding between the Vssilk 1-4 proteins that make up the composite structure in hornet silk. This coiled-coil structure is restored when hornet silk gel films are formed by pressing and drying hornet silk hydrogel.