Cation–π interaction in DOPA-deficient mussel adhesive protein mfp-1

Here we report the possible contribution of cation-π interaction to underwater adhesion of mussels by using DOPA-deficient recombinant mussel adhesive proteins. Considering the instability of DOPA in an oxidative environment, the cation-π interaction in DOPA-deficient biopolymers provides a complementary cross-linking mechanism for the design of novel underwater adhesives.