Initial Characterization of <i>Nephila clavipes</i> Dragline Protein

The molecular composition of the dragline fiber and the major ampullate gland protein from the golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila clavipes is not well defined. We report initial characterization of the major ampullate gland proteins and the dragline fiber including amino acid composition, SDS gel electrophoresis, peptide sequencing and N-terminal sequencing. Preliminary results have identified the presence of disulfide bonds within the dragline protein. Previously published cDNA sequence data of the spidroin I protein from the major ampullate gland of N. clavipes (1) corresponds with our sequence data presented below.