• DOI:10.1002/jbm.a.32559
• Corpus ID: 24974670

Biocompatibility and modification of the protein-based adhesive secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti.

@article{Graham2010BiocompatibilityAM,
  title={Biocompatibility and modification of the protein-based adhesive secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti.},
  author={Lloyd D. Graham and Stephen J. Danon and Graham Johnson and Carl Braybrook and Noel K. Hart and Russell J. Varley and Margaret D. M. Evans and Gail A. McFarland and Michael J. Tyler and Jerome Anthony Werkmeister and John A.M. Ramshaw},
  journal={Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A},
  year={2010},
  volume={93 2},
  pages={
          429-41
        }
}

• L. Graham, S. Danon, +8 authors J. Ramshaw
• Published 30 June 2009
• Biology
• Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A

When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete a proteinaceous exudate, which rapidly forms a tacky and elastic glue. This material has potential in biomedical applications. Cultured cells attached and proliferated well on glue-coated tissue culture polystyrene, but migrated somewhat slower than on uncoated surfaces. In organ culture, dissolved glue successfully adhered collagen-coated perfluoropolyether lenses to debrided bovine corneas and supported epithelial regrowth. Small pellets of glue implanted subcutaneously into mice were resorbed by surrounding tissues, and all of the animals made a full recovery. An initial but transient skin necrosis at the implant site was probably caused by some of the potentially toxic metabolites present in the frog secretion; these include sterols and carotenoids, as well as fatty alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and aromatic compounds. Removal of the carotenoid pigments did not significantly alter the glue's material properties. In contrast, peroxidase treatment of dissolved glue introduced unnatural crosslinks between molecules of the major protein (Nb-1R) and resulted in the formation of a soft hydrogel, which was very different to the original material.