Chemistry-Specific Interfacial Forces Between Barnacle (Semibalanus Balanoides) Cyprid Footprint Proteins and Chemically Functionalised AFM Tips

Abstract

Cypris larvae of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides leave proteinaceous footprints on surfaces during pre-settlement exploration. These footprints are considered to mediate temporary adhesion of cyprids to substrata and, as such, represent a crucial first step in the colonization of man-made surfaces by barnacles, a process known as biofouling. Interest in this system also stems from the potential for a synthetic reversible adhesion system, based on the strategy used by cyprids. Cyprid footprints were probed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanomechanical data relating to interfacial adhesion forces were correlated with AFM tip chemistry. Commercial Si₃N₄-tips and chemically functionalized CH₃-tips were chosen to mimic the interactions of cyprid footprints with hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, respectively. Force-extension curves of protein bundles picked up by AFM tips exhibited a characteristic saw-tooth appearance for both types of tip, but demonstrated clear differences relating to pull-off force and pull-off length, based on tip chemistry. Additional (∼6 nN) interfacial adhesion forces between −CH₃ functionalized tips and footprints were assigned to hydrophobic interactions. Footprint proteins adhered with greater tenacity to the hydrophobic tip. This may suggest conformational change and denaturing of the protein which would facilitate hydrophobic interaction by enhancing contact forces between −CH₃ functionalized tips and hydrophobic groups in the footprint molecule(s). Neither tip removed proteins from the −NH₂ substratum suggesting that specific chemical interactions, rather than simple wetting phenomena, govern the adhesion of footprint proteins to that surface.

Keywords:

• Antifouling
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• Barnacle
• Cyprid
• Fouling
• Semibalanus balanoides
• Temporary adhesion

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Present research is supported by a Dutch Polymer Institute grant #DPI–510 (to G.J.V.). Nick Aldred was supported by U.S. Office of Naval Research grants (N00014-05-1-0767 and N00014-08-1-1240) to A.S.C.

Notes

One of a Collection of papers honoring J. Herbert Waite, the recipient in February 2009 of The Adhesion society Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science, Sponsored by 3M.