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Discovery of mammalian collagens I and III within ancient poriferan biopolymer spongin

Author

Listed:
  • Hermann Ehrlich

    (Adam Mickiewicz University
    Poznan University of Technology)

  • Ivan Miksik

    (University of Pardubice)

  • Mikhail V. Tsurkan

    (Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden)

  • Paul Simon

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • Filip Porzucek

    (Adam Mickiewicz University
    61-614)

  • Jakub Dalibor Rybka

    (Adam Mickiewicz University
    61-614)

  • Monika Mankowska

    (Adam Mickiewicz University
    61-614)

  • Roberta Galli

    (Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Christine Viehweger

    (TU Bergakademie Freiberg)

  • Erica Brendler

    (TU Bergakademie Freiberg)

  • Alona Voronkina

    (TU Bergakademie Freiberg
    National Pirogov Memorial Medical University Vinnytsya)

  • Martyna Pajewska-Szmyt

    (Adam Mickiewicz University)

  • Aleksei Tabachnik

    (University of Haifa)

  • Konstantin R. Tabachnick

    (International Institute of Biomineralogy GmbH)

  • Carla Vogt

    (TU Bergakademie Freiberg)

  • Marcin Wysokowski

    (Poznan University of Technology)

  • Teofil Jesionowski

    (Poznan University of Technology)

  • Tomasz Buchwald

    (Poznan University of Technology)

  • Miroslaw Szybowicz

    (Poznan University of Technology)

  • Kinga Skieresz-Szewczyk

    (Poznań University of Life Sciences)

  • Hanna Jackowiak

    (Poznań University of Life Sciences)

  • Alexander Ereskovsky

    (IMBE)

  • Amadeus C. S. Alcântara

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
    Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP))

  • Alberto M. Santos

    (Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
    Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP))

  • Clauber H. S. Costa

    (Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
    Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP))

  • Sofia E. Arevalo

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Munir S. Skaf

    (Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
    Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP))

  • Markus J. Buehler

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Spongin is a fundamental biopolymer that has played a crucial role in the skeletogenesis of keratosan sponges for over 800 million years. This biomaterial had so far remained chemically unidentified and believed to be an enigmatic type of halogenated collagen-keratin-based bioelastomer. Here we show collagen I and III as the main structural components of spongin. Proteomics, 13C solid state NMR and Raman spectroscopy confirm the identity of collagenous domains in spongin with collagen from mammals. Using an HPLC-MS analysis, we found halogenated di- and tri-tyrosines as crosslinking agents in spongin. Using molecular dynamics modeling, we solvated the crystal structures of collagen mimetic peptides for type I and type III collagens in four different systems, including selected brominated crosslinks. The results underscore the complex interplay between the collagen structures and crosslinks, raising intriguing questions about the molecular mechanisms underlying collagen chemistry within spongin as an ancient biocomposite.

Suggested Citation

  • Hermann Ehrlich & Ivan Miksik & Mikhail V. Tsurkan & Paul Simon & Filip Porzucek & Jakub Dalibor Rybka & Monika Mankowska & Roberta Galli & Christine Viehweger & Erica Brendler & Alona Voronkina & Mar, 2025. "Discovery of mammalian collagens I and III within ancient poriferan biopolymer spongin," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57460-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57460-y
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