ABSTRACT
Mussel adhesive protein (MAP) is secreted by a gland of the marine mollusk Mytilus edulis and other bivalves. It serves to attach the mollusk to rocks or other substrates in the turbulent tidal zones, thereby demonstrating its powerful adhesive properties. The natural product is a protein of 120K dalton molecular weight that contains a repeated decapeptide rich in lysine, hydroxylated amino acids, and dopa [1–5]. This material, which cures rapidly upon contact with water, was patented by Waite.
