Acquisition of complete cDNA of spider dragline protein

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660267
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Insect science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: KUWANA Yoshihiko 独立行政法人農業生物資源研究所, 新機能素材研究開発ユニット, 主任研究員 (30370654)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KOJIMA Katsura 国立研究開発法人農業生物資源研究所, 新機能素材研究開発ユニット, 主任研究員 (40370655)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: オニグモ / 牽引糸 / cDNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have succeeded in developing the transgenic silkworm that expresses the fusion protein of the fibroin heavy chain and spider dragline protein in cocoon silk. The tensile characteristics, e.g. strain, stress and toughness, of the raw silk improved. In order to obtain a stronger silk, we planned to acquire a longer cDNA of spider dragline protein than that of we have.
The gene of spider dragline protein is very long (>10kb) and has highly repetitive sequence. Therefore, we arranged ordinary cloning method and obtained about 1kb dragline gene from garden spiders (Araneus ventricosus) silk glands. Hereafter we continued to acquire longer cDNA of spider dragline protein.

Free Research Field

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