0000000000535897
AUTHOR
Klaus Kropf
Silicate modulates the cross-talk between osteoblasts (SaOS-2) and osteoclasts (RAW 264.7 cells): inhibition of osteoclast growth and differentiation
It has been shown that inorganic monomeric and polymeric silica/silicate, in the presence of the biomineralization cocktail, increases the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteogenic SaOS-2 sarcoma cells in vitro. In contrast, silicate does not affect the steady-state gene expression level of the osteoclastogenic ligand receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). In turn it can be expected that the concentration ratio of the mediators OPG/RANKL increases in the presence of silicate. In addition, silicate enhances the growth potential of SaOS-2 cells in vitro, while it causes no effect on RAW 264.7 cells within a concentration range of 10-100 µM. Applying a co-cultivation assay system,…
Identification of a silicatein(-related) protease in the giant spicules of the deep-sea hexactinellid Monorhaphis chuni.
SUMMARYSilicateins, members of the cathepsin L family, are enzymes that have been shown to be involved in the biosynthesis/condensation of biosilica in spicules from Demospongiae (phylum Porifera), e.g. Tethya aurantium and Suberites domuncula. The class Hexactinellida also forms spicules from this inorganic material. This class of sponges includes species that form the largest biogenic silica structures on earth. The giant basal spicules from the hexactinellids Monorhaphis chuni and Monorhaphis intermedia can reach lengths of up to 3 m and diameters of 10 mm. The giant spicules as well as the tauactines consist of a biosilica shell that surrounds the axial canal, which harbours the axial f…
Bioorganic/inorganic hybrid composition of sponge spicules: matrix of the giant spicules and of the comitalia of the deep sea hexactinellid Monorhaphis.
The giant basal spicules of the siliceous sponges Monorhaphis chuni and Monorhaphis intermedia (Hexactinellida) represent the largest biosilica structures on earth (up to 3 m long). Here we describe the construction (lamellar organization) of these spicules and of the comitalia and highlight their organic matrix in order to understand their mechanical properties. The spicules display three distinct regions built of biosilica: (i) the outer lamellar zone (radius: >300 mu m), (ii) the bulky axial cylinder (radius: <75 mu m), and (iii) the central axial canal (diameter: <2 mu m) with its organic axial filament. The spicules are loosely covered with a collagen net which is regularly perforated …
Dual effect of inorganic polymeric phosphate/polyphosphate on osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro
Inorganic polymeric phosphate/polyphosphate (polyP) is a natural polymer existing in both pro- and eukaryotic systems. In the present study the effect of polyP as well as of polyP supplied in a stoichiometric ratio of 2 m polyP:1 m CaCl2 [polyP (Ca2+ complex)] on the osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells and the osteoclast-like RAW 264.7 cells was determined. Both polymers are non-toxic for these cells up to a concentration of 100 µm. In contrast to polyP, polyP (Ca2+ complex) significantly induced hydroxyapatite formation at a concentration > 10 µm, as documented by alizarin red S staining and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) inspection. Furthermore, polyP (Ca2+ complex) triggered in SaOS-2 cell…
Inorganic polymeric phosphate/polyphosphate as an inducer of alkaline phosphatase and a modulator of intracellular Ca2+ level in osteoblasts (SaOS-2 cells) in vitro
Inorganic polymeric phosphate is a physiological polymer that accumulates in bone cells. In the present study osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells were exposed to this polymer, complexed in a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio with Ca(2+), polyP (Ca(2+) salt). At a concentration of 100 μM, polyP (Ca(2+) salt) caused a strong increase in the activity of the alkaline phosphatase and also an induction of the steady-state expression of the gene encoding this enzyme. Comparative experiments showed that polyP (Ca(2+) salt) can efficiently replace β-glycerophosphate in the in vitro hydroxyapatite (HA) biomineralization assay. In the presence of polyP (Ca(2+) salt) the cells extensively form HA crystallites, which r…
Molecular markers for germ cell differentiation in the demosponge Suberites domuncula
Sponges (phylum Porifera) are simple metazoans for which no molecular information on gametogenesis and larval development is available. To support the current study, it was confirmed by histology that oocytes and larvae were produced by the demosponge Suberites domuncula. Three genes/expressed products from S. domuncula whose expression correlated with sexual reproduction were identified and characterized (they are used here as marker genes): i) a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) with sequence similarity in the tyrosine kinase domain to fibroblast growth factor receptors; ii) the sex-determining protein FEM1 and iii) the sperm associated antigen (SAA) of triploblasts. Antibodies against the e…