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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 Sep 22.
Published in final edited form as: Chem Rev. 2020 Dec 23;121(18):10908–10949. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00923

Table 2. Polypeptide-based biopolymers.

Representative structures, function, and sources of various polypeptide biopolymers that have been modified to form biomedical hydrogels.

Polypeptides
Name Gelatin Silk Fibroin Albumin Elastin Keratin
Structure graphic file with name nihms-1788934-t0028.jpg graphic file with name nihms-1788934-t0029.jpg graphic file with name nihms-1788934-t0030.jpg graphic file with name nihms-1788934-t0031.jpg graphic file with name nihms-1788934-t0032.jpg
Contains RGD motif for cell adhesion Contains sequences that form crystalline β-sheets Heart shaped, globular protein Contains hydrophobic domains (i.e., VPGXG) for mechanical resilience Contains high cysteine content for disulfide bond formation
Native function Denatured derivative of collagen (structural component of mammalian ECM) Structural component of silk fibers produced by some arthropods Modulates fluid distribution and provides oncotic pressure in blood plasma Responsible for recoiling response when stress is applied in vertebrate connective tissue Structural and protective component of hard tissues such as skin, hair, nails, horns, wool, feathers, and hooves
Source for biomedical applications Animal sources (e.g., porcine skin)63 Bombyx mori (silkworm)73 Human (HSA) or bovine (BSA) blood plasma82 Human donors or animal sources (e.g., bovine, murine)91 Human hair,98 animal sources (e.g., feathers, wool)99,100