Chitin and cuticle proteins form the cuticular layer in the spinning duct of silk-spinning arthropods
Xin Wang, Xiaoqian Xie, Kang Xie, Qingsong Liu, Yi Li, Xiaoyin Tan, Haonan Dong, Xinning Li, Zhaoming Dong, Qingyou Xia, Ping Zhao
The paper identifies chitin and cuticle proteins as key components of the cuticular layer in the spinning duct of silkworms, showing their role in silk mechanical properties.
bioRxiv · Nov 4, 2021 · PreprintMolecular Biology