Polymerizing Like Mussels Do: Toward Synthetic Mussel Foot Proteins and Resistant Glues

A novel strategy to generate adhesive protein analogues by enzyme‐induced polymerization of peptides is reported. Peptide polymerization relies on tyrosinase oxidation of tyrosine residues to Dopaquinones, which rapidly form cysteinyldopa‐moieties with free thiols from cysteine residues, thereby linking unimers and generating adhesive polymers. The resulting artificial protein analogues show strong adsorption to different surfaces, even resisting hypersaline conditions. Remarkable adhesion energies of up to 10.9 mJ m−2 are found in single adhesion events and average values are superior to those reported for mussel foot proteins that constitute the gluing interfaces. Mussel glue protein mimics: Adhesive mussel‐inspired protein analogues were prepared by an enzyme‐induced polymerization of oligopeptides. The polymers are generated by the formation of cysteinyldopa linkages that contribute to cohesion and adhesion of the protein analogues. Aspects of adhesion properties of mussel foot proteins were mimicked without the need to extract and purify or express native proteins.