pH-Triggered Clustering Regulates β-sheet Activation in Silk Assembly

Abstract Silk fibres derive their exceptional properties from hierarchical protein organisation, yet the molecular pathways guiding this evolution remain poorly resolved. During regenerated silk fibroin gelation under biomimetic gradual acidification, we resolve a stepwise assembly pathway comprising nanoscale clustering, growth of domains within clusters, and mesoscale network formation. Time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering performed simultaneously with UV and fluorescence emission (NUrF) identifies unique intermediates and a regulated onset of β-sheet assembly, indicating that fibril formation requires prior compaction and network connectivity. By contrast, methanol-induced gelation bypasses these intermediates, driving rapid aggregation. These findings define the sequence and timing of events that construct silk’s hierarchical architecture without accidental aggregation, showing how pathway selection governs material outcomes. This multiscale resolution achieved by NurF provides a broadly applicable strategy for probing hierarchical assembly in silk and other protein materials.