Abstract
Investigation of the molecular mechanism underlying the fouling of marine mussels is an interdisciplinary endeavor encompassing the fields of biochemistry, polymer chemistry, and biological chemistry. In this review, recent progress in the research on the adhesive proteins secreted by mussel species is summarized. The present subject includes: (i) material performance of mussel byssus, (ii) recent advances in biochemistry and molecular biology of byssus precursor proteins, (iii) cross-linking reactions and adhesion mechanisms of mussel adhesive protein, (iv) surface chemical properties of mussel adhesives, (v) antifouling strategy based on the surface chemical properties of the substrata, and (vi) conclusions and perspectives.
