Part:BBa_K1592001

Mcfp-3 is foot protein secreted from Mytilus californianus. The protein is of significance to the formation of byssus to help mussels permanently or temporarily tether to the surface of solid surface of reef or ship-body. This coherent substance shows the excellent adhesion performance with no substitute under water for sustaining the repeating wash of waves and having no toxicity. The properties are owing to the amino acid content which are successively DOPA (28mol％),glycine,lysine and asparagine[*]. The presence of DOPA in the foot protein suggests a role in protein-protein and protein-substrate(glass eg.) interactions related to the formation of adhesive plaques. The electron rich nature of DOPA and its susceptibility to oxidation can lead to the formation of o-quinone with subsequent tanning or sclerotization to form a cross-linked and stable products. Further,it is noteworthy that the protein shows an intrinsic ability of self-assemble into stable,higher molecular weight forms that may further enhance our consolidation function.