Search results for "Biomineralization"
showing 10 items of 131 documents
Nonclassical crystallization in vivo et in vitro (I): Process-structure-property relationships of nanogranular biominerals.
2016
A distinct nanogranular fine structure is shared by a wealth of biominerals from several species, classes and taxa. This nanoscopic organization affects the properties and behavior of the biogenic ceramic material and confers on them attributes that are essential to their function. We present a set of structure-relationship properties that are rooted in the nanogranular organization and we propose that they rest on a common pathway of formation, a colloid-driven and hence nonclassical mode of crystallization. With this common modus operandi, we reveal the most fundamental and wide spread process-structure-property relationship in biominerals. With the recent increase in our understanding of…
Fractal-related assembly of the axial filament in the demosponge Suberites domuncula: relevance to biomineralization and the formation of biogenic si…
2007
Abstract The siliceous spicules of sponges (Porifera) show great variations of sizes, shapes and forms; they constitute the chief supporting framework of these animals; these skeletal elements are synthesized enzymatically by silicatein. Each sponge species synthesizes at least two silicateins, which are termed − α and − β . In the present study, using the demosponge Suberites domuncula , we studied if the silicateins of the axial filament contribute to the shape formation of the spicules. For these experiments native silicateins have been isolated by a new Tris/glycerol extraction procedure. Silicateins isolated by this procedure are monomeric (24 kDa), but readily form dimers through non-…
Enzyme-accelerated and structure-guided crystallization of calcium carbonate: Role of the carbonic anhydrase in the homologous system
2014
Abstract The calcareous spicules from sponges, e.g. from Sycon raphanus, are composed of almost pure calcium carbonate. In order to elucidate the formation of those structural skeletal elements, the function of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA), isolated from this species, during the in vitro calcium carbonate-based spicule formation, was investigated. It is shown that the recombinant sponge CA substantially accelerates calcium carbonate formation in the in vitro diffusion assay. A stoichiometric calculation revealed that the turnover rate of the sponge CA during the calcification process amounts to 25 CO2 s−1 × molecule CA−1. During this enzymatically driven process, initially pat-like pa…
A hydrated crystalline calcium carbonate phase: Calcium carbonate hemihydrate.
2019
Hydrous CaCO 3 gets a new structure Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) forms important minerals on Earth and is a model system for understanding crystal nucleation. Three different structures of CaCO 3 are known, along with two structures that are hydrated. Zou et al. found a third hydrated CaCO 3 structure formed from amorphous CaCO 3 in the presence of magnesium ions. The discovery illustrates the importance of amorphous precursors for producing new materials. Science , this issue p. 396
Nanostructure, composition and mechanisms of bivalve shell growth
2008
Abstract Freshwater and marine cultured pearls form via identical processes to the shells of bivalves and can therefore serve as models for the biomineralization of bivalve shells in general. Their nanostructure consists of membrane-coated granules (vesicles) which contain amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) at the beginning of the biomineralization sequence, preceding the crystallization of aragonite and vaterite. In contrast to the commonly accepted view, crystallization of ACC occurs rapidly and within the granular nano-compartments mediated by organic molecules much earlier than platelet formation. The interlamellar organic sheets in nacre that form the platelet structure of nacre themsel…
Pmarg-pearlin is a matrix protein involved in nacre framework formation in the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera.
2011
11 pages; International audience; The shell of pearl oysters is organized in multiple layers of CaCO(3) crystallites packed together in an organic matrix. Relationships between the components of the organic matrix and mechanisms of nacre formation currently constitute the main focus of research into biomineralization. In this study, we characterized the pearlin protein from the oyster Pinctada margaritifera (Pmarg); this shares structural features with other members of a matrix protein family, N14/N16/pearlin. Pmarg pearlin exhibits calcium- and chitin-binding properties. Pmarg pearlin transcripts are distinctively localized in the mineralizing tissue responsible for nacre formation. More s…
Metazoan calcium carbonate biomineralizations: macroevolutionary trends – challenges for the coming decade
2014
AbstractCalcium carbonate-based biominerals, also referred as biocalcifications, are the most abundant biogenic mineralized products at the surface of the Earth. In this paper, we summarize general concepts on biocalcifications and we sketch macro-evolutionary trends throughout the history of the Earth, from Archean to Phanerozoic times. Then, we expose five fundamental issues that represent key-challenges in biocalcification researches for the coming decade: the first one concerns the comprehension of the micro- and nano-structure of calcium carbonate biominerals from a mineral viewpoint, while the second one deals with the understanding of the dynamic process of their fabrication. The thi…
Characterization of molecular processes involved in the pearl formation in Pinctada margaritifera for a sustainable development of pearl farming indu…
2013
Tahiti’s pearl farming industry plays a major socio-economic role in French Polynesia. In an increasingly competitive market where the production of high quality pearls becomes essential, research can help secure and ensure sustainable production. In that context, Ifremer, in close collaboration with the “direction des resources marines” (French Polynesian government agency) has developed research projects on the “sustainable development of pearl farming”. This program is organized along 3 axes: (1) understanding the animal physiology and initiating a genetically selective breeding program of donor oysters; (2) understanding pearl oyster larvae dispersal and recruitment; (3) understanding t…
Evolution of nacre: biochemistry and proteomics of the shell organic matrix of the cephalopod Nautilus macromphalus.
2009
12 pages; International audience; In mollusks, one of the most widely studied shell textures is nacre, the lustrous aragonitic layer that constitutes the internal components of the shells of several bivalves, a few gastropods, and one cephalopod: the nautilus. Nacre contains a minor organic fraction, which displays a wide range of functions in relation to the biomineralization process. Here, we have biochemically characterized the nacre matrix of the cephalopod Nautilus macromphalus. The acid-soluble matrix contains a mixture of polydisperse and discrete proteins and glycoproteins, which interact with the formation of calcite crystals. In addition, a few bind calcium ions. Furthermore, we h…
Molecular modularity and asymmetry of the molluscan mantle revealed by a gene expression atlas
2018
15 pages; International audience; Background: Conchiferan molluscs construct a biocalcified shell that likely supported much of their evolutionary success.However, beyond broad proteomic and transcriptomic surveys of molluscan shells and the shell-forming mantle tissue,little is known of the spatial and ontogenetic regulation of shell fabrication. In addition, most efforts have been focused onspecies that deposit nacre, which is at odds with the majority of conchiferan species that fabricate shells using acrossed-lamellar microstructure, sensu lato. Results: By combining proteomic and transcriptomic sequencing with in situhybridization we have identified a suite of gene products associated …