Fine structure of the aggregate silk nodules in the orb-web spider Nephila clavata

Among the triad spinning units for capture thread producing system in the orb-web spiders, aqueous gluey substances are produced from two pairs of aggregate silk glands (ASG). Although biochemical analysis of glue substance is produced by way of their passage through the ASG, its structural modifica...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animal cells and systems 2018, 22(6), , pp.421-428
Main Author: Moon, Myung-Jin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesives
Aggregate gland
Biochemical analysis
Electron microscopes
Evolution & Systematic Biology
Fine structure
glue
Glues
Glycogen
Glycoproteins
Microscopes
Mitochondria
Nephila clavata
nodule
Nodules
Sheaths
Silk
Silk gland
spider
Spiders
Ultrastructure
Webs
생물학
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Summary:Among the triad spinning units for capture thread producing system in the orb-web spiders, aqueous gluey substances are produced from two pairs of aggregate silk glands (ASG). Although biochemical analysis of glue substance is produced by way of their passage through the ASG, its structural modifications in the nodular area have been nearly neglected till now. This paper focused on identifying the fine structural characteristics of the aggregate nodules in the golden orb-web spider Nephila clavata using both of light and transmission electron microscopes. The ASG in N. clavata is composed of a multi-lobed secretory region and a thick excretory duct surrounded by large irregular nodules. Histological analysis of the nodules demonstrates that the nodule forming cells have extensive membrane-bound tubular system that is continuous with the surface membrane. In particular, the nodule forming cells contain numerous mitochondria and glycogen particles within their cytoplasms, and they are surrounded by the same sheath of thin connectives. As previously described, each gluey droplet is formed of a central glycoprotein mass surrounded by an aqueous covering components, the nodular organization in N. clavata indicates that the extensive membrane system is thought to have a function for gluey silk production in spider. The results of this study also strengthen the premise that spider glues are made of glycoproteins, and the aggregate nodule functions as a key component for the spider web glue production.
ISSN:1976-8354
2151-2485
DOI:10.1080/19768354.2018.1546227