Frog foams and natural protein surfactants (original) (raw)

Cooper, Alan, Vance, Steven J., Smith, Brian O. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3363-4168 and Kennedy, Malcolm W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0970-5264(2017) Frog foams and natural protein surfactants.Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 534, pp. 120-129. (doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.01.049) (PMID:29276339) (PMCID:PMC5727673)

Abstract

Foams and surfactants are relatively rare in biology because of their potential to harm cell membranes and other delicate tissues. However, in recent work we have identified and characterized a number of natural surfactant proteins found in the foam nests of tropical frogs and other unusual sources. These proteins, and their associated foams, are relatively stable and bio-compatible, but with intriguing molecular structures that reveal a new class of surfactant activity. Here we review the structures and functional mechanisms of some of these proteins as revealed by experiments involving a range of biophysical and biochemical techniques, with additional mechanistic support coming from more recent site-directed mutagenesis studies.

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record