Acidic Non-collagenous Proteins Research Articles

Lipids and Minerals, Interplay in Biomineralization: Nature's Alchemy.

The main focus of this article is the role of lipids in biomineralization. Much of the discussion on biomineralization focuses on proteins in these decades. Indeed, collagen and acidic noncollagenous proteins effectively serve as templates for mineralization. However, other macromolecules such as lipids and polysaccharides have received less attention despite their abundance at mineralization sites. The matrix vesicle (MV) theory is widely accepted as the induction of early mineralization. Although ion concentration within the vesicles has been discussed in the initial mineralization in this theory, the role of phospholipids that constitute the vesicle membrane has not been discussed much. Comprehensive considerations, including pathological mineralization, exist regardless of the localization of MVs, the involvement of bacteria in dental calculus formation, and biomineralization caused by marine organisms such as corals, suggesting that initial mineralization found in these biological conditions might be a common reaction relating to lipids. In contrast, despite the abundance of lipids, mineralization occurs only in the limited tissue within our body. In other words, gathering knowledge and creating a path to understanding about lipid-based mineralization is extremely important in proposing new bone disease treatment methods. This article describes how lipids influence nucleation, mineralization, and expansion during hard tissue formation.

ROLE OF NON-COLLAGENOUS PROTEINS IN THE MINERALIZATION OF COLLAGEN FIBRILS: IMPLICATION IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

Purpose: The pathological remodeling of the osteochondral junction is thought to be pivotal in osteoarthritis (OA). It includes alterations in the mineralization state of both cartilage and bone. The biomineralization process is orchestrated by protein-mineral interactions. In bone, the peculiar organization of type I collagen fibrils forms gaps between neighboring collagen molecules, which may be the place where CaP crystals nucleate from an amorphous phase and subsequently grow. This intrafibrillar mineralization process may be directed by highly acidic non-collagenous proteins (SIBLING family proteins, Matrix gla protein (MGP) and fetuin A) which stabilize pre-nucleated clusters and inhibit CaP nucleation in the extrafibrillar spaces.

Polyaminoacids in Biomimetic Collagen Mineralization: Roles of Isomerization and Disorder in Polyaspartic and Polyglutamic Acids.

The extracellular matrix of hard connective tissues is composed primarily of mineralized collagen fibrils. Acidic noncollagenous proteins play important roles in mediating mineralization of collagen. Polyaspartate, a homopolymer substitute for such proteins, has been used extensively in in vitro models to produce biomimetic mineralized collagen. Polyglutamate behaves differently in mineralization models, despite its chemical similarity. We show that polyaspartate is a 350 times more effective inhibitor of solution precipitation of hydroxyapatite than polyglutamate. Supersaturated CaP solutions stabilized with polyaspartic acid produce collagen with aligned intrafibrillar mineral, while solutions containing polyglutamate lead to the formation of unaligned mineral clusters on the fibril surface. Molecular analysis showed that the commercial polyaspartic acid contains substantial isomerization, unlike polyglutamic acid. Hence, the secondary structure of polyaspartic acid is more disordered than that of polyglutamic acid. The increased flexibility of the polyaspartic acid chain may explain its potency as an inhibitor of solution crystallization and a mediator of intrafibrillar collagen mineralization.

Toward the Understanding of Small Protein-Mediated Collagen Intrafibrillar Mineralization.

The design of improved materials for orthopedic implants and bone tissue engineering scaffolds relies on materials mimicking the properties of bone. Calcium phosphate (Ca-PO4)-mineralized collagen fibrils arranged in a characteristic hierarchical structure constitute the building blocks of mineralized vertebrate tissues and control their biomechanical and biochemical properties. Large, flexible, acidic noncollagenous proteins (ANCPs) have been shown to influence collagen mineralization but little is known about mineralization mechanisms with the aid of small proteins. Osteocalcin (OCN) is a small, highly structured biomolecule known as a multifunctional hormone in its undercarboxylated form. Here, we examined the potential mechanism of collagen intrafibrillar mineralization in vitro mediated by OCN as a model protein. Rapid and random extrafibrillar mineralization of flakey Ca-PO4 particles was observed by transmission electron microscopy mainly on the outer surfaces of collagen fibrils of a preformed collagen scaffold in the absence of the protein. In contrast, the protein stabilized hydrated, spherical nanoclusters of Ca-PO4 on the outer surface of the fibrils, thereby retarding extrafibrillar mineralization. The nanoclusters then infiltrated the fibrils resulting in intrafibrillar mineralization with HAP crystals aligned with the fibrils. This mechanism is similar to that observed for unstructured ANCPs. Results of fibrillogenesis and immunogold labeling studies showed that OCN was associated primarily with the fibrils, consistent with ex vivo studies on mineralizing turkey tendon. The present findings contribute to expanding our understanding of collagen intrafibrillar mineralization and provide insight into design synthetic macromolecular matrices for orthopedic implants and bone regeneration.

A potential mechanism for amino acid-controlled crystal growth of hydroxyapatite.

The mineral component of bone, dentin and calcified parts of avian tendon, hydroxyapatite (HAP), has non-stoichiometric composition (idealized as Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), plate-like morphology and nanometer size. This unique crystal morphology contributes to the physico-chemical and biochemical properties of bone. Thus, understanding the mechanism for the controlled growth of plate-like HAP nanocrystals is significant in the study of bone biomineralization. Previous studies have shown that acidic non-collagenous proteins (ANCPs), which are enriched in the residues of acidic amino acids, may play an important role in HAP crystal growth modulation. In this study, glutamic acid (Glu) and phosphoserine (Ser-OPO3) were used as model compounds to modify the synthesis of HAP nanocrystals. To identify the mechanisms of amino acids as regulators, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) were used. The crystals obtained in the inorganic controls were needle-like, while crystals synthesized in the presence of the amino acids presented a plate-like morphology. The plate-like crystals had a preferred crystal orientation on (300) face, which was lacking in the inorganically grown crystals, indicating preferential adsorption and suppression of growth in specific crystal directions. Ser-OPO3 was more efficient than Glu in modulating HAP nucleation and crystal growth. Furthermore, NMR revealed interactions between the charged side chain groups in amino acids and the crystal surfaces. These results were successfully explained through our MD simulations for the free energy calculation of amino acid binding on HAP crystal faces. The present study revealed that amino acids may act as effective regulators of HAP morphology without the need to invoke large NCPs in bone biomineralization and in designing bioinspired materials for orthopaedic and dental applications.

Multifunctional role of osteopontin in directing intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen and activation of osteoclasts

Mineralized collagen composites are of interest because they have the potential to provide a bone-like scaffold that stimulates the natural processes of resorption and remodeling. Working towards this goal, our group has previously shown that the nanostructure of bone can be reproduced using a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) process, which enables intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen with hydroxyapatite to be achieved. This prior work used polyaspartic acid (pASP), a simple mimic for acidic non-collagenous proteins, to generate nanodroplets/nanoparticles of an amorphous mineral precursor which can infiltrate the interstices of type-I collagen fibrils. In this study we show that osteopontin (OPN) can similarly serve as a process-directing agent for the intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen, even though OPN is generally considered a mineralization inhibitor. We also found that inclusion of OPN in the mineralization process promotes the interaction of mouse marrow-derived osteoclasts with PILP-remineralized bone that was previously demineralized, as measured by actin ring formation. While osteoclast activation occurred when pASP was used as the process-directing agent, using OPN resulted in a dramatic effect on osteoclast activation, presumably because of the inherent arginine–glycine–aspartate acid ligands of OPN. By capitalizing on the multifunctionality of OPN, these studies may lead the way to producing biomimetic bone substitutes with the capability of tailorable bioresorption rates.

Adsorption of Bone Sialoprotein on Hydroxyapatite-A Combination Study with Bioinformatics and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Bone sialoprotein (BSP), an acidic non-collagenous protein specific to bone, is proposed previously to modulate hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanocrystal growth. Two highly conserved phosphorylated acidic amino-acid sequences in BSP are hypothesized as the functional motifs. Specifically, we choose one of them, (Sp)2E8, where Sp represents a phosphoserine, as a model peptide to study the interactions between BSP and the HAP (001) face. A bioinformatics method helps predict the likely peptide conformations adsorbed on the HAP surface, which, subsequently, is subject to further examinations using molecular dynamics simulations with the explicit solvent model. The bioinformatics method predicts a Sp residue binds strongly to the surface, and the Glu residues show propensity to form a helical conformation. Long-time molecular dynamic simulations observe some variations of the sidechain orientations compared to the bioinformatics-predicted conformation, however, the backbone structure and the major binding features are largely preserved. In addition, no apparent geometrical templating between the peptide residues and the studied HAP surface sites is noticed, which implies that adsorption and subsequent crystal growth modulation by BSP may be structurally non-specific.

Abstract 500: DMP1 activates osteolytic cycle in a tumor environment

Abstract Bone metastasis is one of the skeletal malignancies that could be caused by breast cancer. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic noncollagenous protein localized specifically in the mineralized matrix of bone and dentin. It is a multifunctional protein, involved in gene regulation (within the cell) and HAP nucleation (in the ECM). DMP1 is endocytosed by preosteoblasts, triggering the calcium dependent and calcium independent signaling pathways resulting in a series of downstream events leading to osteoblast differentiation. These signaling events facilitate the activation of a calcium dependent stress-induced p38 MAP kinase and a calcium independent integrin mediated ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway resulting in the expression of downstream target genes such as Runx2 and osteocalcin. Results from this study have shown that the osteoblast cells upon differentiation secrete receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) that stimulates the differentiation of precursor monocytes to osteoclasts. The study also focuses on identifying the role of DMP1 in breast cancer cells that could enhance osteoclast formation thereby accelerating bone resportion. Thus, the study reveals a new mechanism by which DMP1 can activate the vicious cycle leading to the aggressive growth and behavior of the cancer cells. To address the mechanism by which DMP1 might contribute to the osteolytic process, DMP1 was overexpressed in the metastatic cancer cell line MDA MB231. Upregulation of markers like Runx2, MMP2, MMP9, RANKL, OPN, BSP, VEGF and the activation of Smad2/3 and MAP kinase pathways (p38 and ERK1/2 pathways) were observed in overexpressed cells. Results from this study have shown that DMP1 secreted by the breast cancer cells into the extracellular environment could stimulate the differentiation of osteoblasts, leading to the secretion of factors that signal monocytes to differentiate to osteoclast thus resulting in bone metastasis. Overall, the results obtained from this study identify a new role for DMP1 in the differentiation of breast cancer tumor cells that may be directly related to their metastatic potential. Supported by NIH DE 115657 and the Brodie Endowment Fund Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 500. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-500

Mimicking the Nanostructure of Bone: Comparison of Polymeric Process-Directing Agents

The nanostructure of bone has been replicated using a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) mineralization process. This polymer-mediated crystallization process yields intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen with uniaxially-oriented hydroxyapatite crystals. The process-directing agent, an anionic polymer which we propose mimics the acidic non-collagenous proteins associated with bone formation, sequesters calcium and phosphate ions to form amorphous precursor droplets that can infiltrate the interstices of collagen fibrils. In search of a polymeric agent that produces the highest mineral content in the shortest time, we have studied the influence of various acidic polymers on the in vitro mineralization of collagen scaffolds via the PILP process. Among the polymers investigated were poly-L aspartic acid (PASP), poly-L-glutamic acid (PGLU), polyvinylphosphonic acid (PVPA), and polyacrylic acid (PAA). Our data indicate that PASP and the combination of PGLU/PASP formed stable mineralization solutions, and yielded nano-structured composites with the highest mineral content. Such studies contribute to our goal of preparing biomimetic bone graft substitutes with composition and structure that mimic bone.

The role of collagen in bone apatite formation in the presence of hydroxyapatite nucleation inhibitors

Bone is a composite material in which collagen fibrils form a scaffold for a highly organized arrangement of uniaxially oriented apatite crystals. In the periodic 67 nm cross-striated pattern of the collagen fibril, the less dense 40-nm-long gap zone has been implicated as the place where apatite crystals nucleate from an amorphous phase, and subsequently grow. This process is believed to be directed by highly acidic non-collagenous proteins; however, the role of the collagen matrix during bone apatite mineralization remains unknown. Here, combining nanometre-scale resolution cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and cryogenic electron tomography with molecular modelling, we show that collagen functions in synergy with inhibitors of hydroxyapatite nucleation to actively control mineralization. The positive net charge close to the C-terminal end of the collagen molecules promotes the infiltration of the fibrils with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). Furthermore, the clusters of charged amino acids, both in gap and overlap regions, form nucleation sites controlling the conversion of ACP into a parallel array of oriented apatite crystals. We developed a model describing the mechanisms through which the structure, supramolecular assembly and charge distribution of collagen can control mineralization in the presence of inhibitors of hydroxyapatite nucleation.

Biomimetic mineralization of collagen via an enzyme-aided PILP process

The development of bone-like collagen-hydroxyapatite composites is highly desirable because bone has outstanding mechanical properties and resorptive potential, and a combination of these characteristics could ultimately lead to a load-bearing and bioresorbable bone substitute. Our prior work has shown that intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen can be achieved using a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) mineralization process. In our in vitro model system, polyaspartate is used to mimic the acidic non-collagenous proteins involved in bone formation. We have previously shown that the anionic polypeptide sequesters ions to induce an amorphous calcium phosphate precursor, and we have put forth the hypothesis that the early-stage precursor is highly hydrated, enabling fluidic droplets to be drawn into the gaps and grooves of collagen fibrils by capillary action. Here, we further our biomimetic approach by using alkaline phosphatase to provide a slow release of inorganic phosphate ions from a phosphate ester, mimicking the biochemical processes of ion regulation found in natural bone formation. The collagen-hydroxyapatite composites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), which show that nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite are intrafibrillar and [0 0 1] oriented along the collagen fibril axis. With repeated mineralization steps, the fibrils become cemented together with a non-descript extrafibrillar mineral coating. Although the degree of intrafibrillar mineralization was not as high as our usual method, we believe that with further optimization this enzyme-aided PILP process could provide a closer mimic to the biochemical processes involved in bone formation, and serve as a useful in vitro model system for studying the mechanisms involved in bone formation.

Quantitative Mechanical/Chemical Imaging of Bone from Dmp1 Null Mice

AbstractDentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic noncollagenous protein which plays an important role in mineralized tissue formation. Dmp1 null adult mice are ricketic and osteomalacic and are a model for hypophosphatemic rickets [1]. Mutation in humans results is Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatic Rickets [1]. The degree of bone mineralization significantly contributes to bone tissue mechanical properties, but precise relationships and interactions between chemical and mechanical variables are unknown. The objective of this study was to relate the differences in chemical properties in the Dmp1 wildtype (WT) and null (KO) mouse femoral cortical bone to their mechanical properties by using FTIR imaging and Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM). Interactive mechanical (elastic modulus) and chemical images (i.e., mineral/matrix ratios) were generated from the same region of bone at a lateral resolution of ˜10 um. Mechanical analysis showed that elastic modulus, 75 percentile around 7.1 GPa, was ˜60% less in Dmp1 KO than that in WT, in which elastic modulus was 75 percentile around 15.2 GPa. The mineral-to-matrix ratios in Dmp1KO (4.96±1.63) were ˜2 times lower than that in Dmp1 WT (8.65±1.14). The mineral crystallinity and collagen crosslink ratios were not significantly different between KO and WT. Conclusions: The results relate the bone elastic modulus changes in Dmp1WT and KO mice with chemical changes within a specific bone site. These measurements provide a new tool for describing the variability of bone chemical and mechanical properties.

A Chondroitin Sulfate Chain Attached to the Bone Dentin Matrix Protein 1 NH2-Terminal Fragment

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic noncollagenous protein shown by gene ablations to be critical for the proper mineralization of bone and dentin. In the extracellular matrix of these tissues DMP1 is present as fragments representing the NH2-terminal (37 kDa) and COOH-terminal (57 kDa) portions of the cDNA-deduced amino acid sequence. During our separation of bone noncollagenous proteins, we observed a high molecular weight, DMP1-related component (designated DMP1-PG). We purified DMP1-PG with a monoclonal anti-DMP1 antibody affinity column. Amino acid analysis and Edman degradation of tryptic peptides proved that the core protein for DMP1-PG is the 37-kDa fragment of DMP1. Chondroitinase treatments demonstrated that the slower migration rate of DMP1-PG is due to the presence of glycosaminoglycan. Quantitative disaccharide analysis indicated that the glycosaminoglycan is made predominantly of chondroitin 4-sulfate. Further analysis on tryptic peptides led us to conclude that a single glycosaminoglycan chain is linked to the core protein via Ser74, located in the Ser74-Gly75 dipeptide, an amino acid sequence specific for the attachment of glycosaminoglycans. Our findings show that in addition to its existence as a phosphoprotein, the NH2-terminal fragment from DMP1 occurs as a proteoglycan. Amino acid sequence alignment analysis showed that the Ser74-Gly75 dipeptide and its flanking regions are highly conserved among a wide range of species from caiman to the Homo sapiens, indicating that this glycosaminoglycan attachment domain has survived an extremely long period of evolution pressure, suggesting that the glycosaminoglycan may be critical for the basic biological functions of DMP1.

Porcine dentin matrix protein 1: gene structure, cDNA sequence, and expression in teeth

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic non-collagenous protein that is necessary for the proper biomineralization of bone, cartilage, cementum, dentin, and enamel. Dentin matrix protein 1 is highly phosphorylated and potentially glycosylated, but there is no experimental data identifying which specific amino acids are modified. For the purpose of facilitating the characterization of DMP1 from pig, which has the advantage of large developing teeth for obtaining protein in quantity and extensive structural information concerning other tooth matrix proteins, we characterized the porcine DMP1 cDNA and gene structure, raised anti-peptide immunoglobulins that are specific for porcine DMP1, and detected DMP1 protein in porcine tooth extracts and histological sections. Porcine DMP1 has 510 amino acids, including a 16-amino acid signal peptide. The deduced molecular weight of the secreted, unmodified protein is 53.5 kDa. The protein has 93 serines and 12 threonines in the appropriate context for phosphorylation, and four asparagines in a context suitable for glycosylation. Dentin matrix protein 1 protein bands with apparent molecular weights between 30 and 45 kDa were observed in partially purified dentin extracts. In developing teeth, immunohistochemistry localized DMP1 in odontoblasts and the dentinal tubules of mineralized dentin and in ameloblasts, but not in the enamel matrix.

Transcriptional Regulation of Dentin Matrix Protein 1 by JunB and p300 during Osteoblast Differentiation

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic noncollagenous protein localized specifically in the mineralized matrix of bone and dentin. Expression analyses demonstrate that DMP1 is differentially regulated in osteoblasts and odontoblasts. Earlier we have reported on the transcriptional regulation of DMP1 by c-Fos and c-Jun (AP-1) transcription factors. Results from earlier study indicate that c-Fos and c-Jun play an important role in early osteoblast differentiation, whereas they do not have a significant effect on the terminally differentiated osteoblasts. In this paper, we demonstrate a regulatory mechanism by which JunB transcriptionally controls the expression of DMP1 during osteoblast differentiation. The cooperative interaction of JunB with p300 has been shown to dramatically modulate the DMP1 promoter activity during mineralization. Immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrate the interaction of JunB and p300 in vivo. Further, phosphorylation of JunB at Ser-79 was found to be essential for its interaction with p300. Intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activity of p300 also plays a critical role in regulating DMP1 gene expression.

Dentin Matrix Protein 1 Immobilized on Type I Collagen Fibrils Facilitates Apatite Deposition in Vitro

During bone and dentin mineralization, the crystal nucleation and growth processes are considered to be matrix regulated. Osteoblasts and odontoblasts synthesize a polymeric collagenous matrix, which forms a template for apatite initiation and elongation. Coordinated and controlled reaction between type I collagen and bone/dentin-specific noncollagenous proteins are necessary for well defined biogenic crystal formation. However, the process by which collagen surfaces become mineralized is not understood. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic noncollagenous protein expressed during the initial stages of mineralized matrix formation in bone and dentin. Here we show that DMP1 bound specifically to type I collagen, with the binding region located at the N-telopeptide region of type I collagen. Peptide mapping identified two acidic clusters in DMP1 responsible for interacting with type I collagen. The collagen binding property of these domains was further confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. Transmission electron microscopy analyses have localized DMP1 in the gap region of the collagen fibrils. Fibrillogenesis assays further demonstrated that DMP1 accelerated the assembly of the collagen fibrils in vitro and also increased the diameter of the reconstituted collagen fibrils. In vitro mineralization studies in the presence of calcium and phosphate ions demonstrated apatite deposition only at the collagen-bound DMP1 sites. Thus specific binding of DMP1 and possibly other noncollagenous proteins on the collagen fibril might be a key step in collagen matrix organization and mineralization.

Acidic amino acid-rich sequences as binding sites of osteonectin to hydroxyapatite crystals

Osteonectin, an acidic noncollagenous protein of bone and dentin, has affinity to hydroxyapatite crystals. Binding sites to hydroxyapatite of this protein were determined by a proteolytic experiment and an in vitro binding experiment using synthetic peptide analogues. Osteonectin was adsorbed on hydroxyapatite crystals and digested with trypsin. A peptide was left adsorbed on the crystal even after the digestion. The peptide was identified as an amino terminal peptide containing glutamic acid-rich sequences, which have been assumed to be possible hydroxyapatite-binding sites. Poly glutamic acid sequences were synthesized as models of the binding sites. Glu 6 peptide was bound to the hydroxyapatite with a dissociation constant of 2.4 μM. Peptides containing fewer glutamic acids had lower affinity to the crystal. Effects of these peptides on in vitro mineralization were examined by a gel system in microtiter plates. The Glu 6 peptide had a positive effect on the mineralization in this system, whereas Asp 6 peptide had a negative effect. These effects indicate the presence of an interaction between these peptides and mineral crystals.

Preferential adsorption of dentin and bone acidic proteins on the (100) face of hydroxyapatite crystals

Interaction of bone and dentin proteins with minerals is an elementary step in the regulation of mineralization in these tissues. Adsorption of acidic non-collagenous proteins on hydroxyapatite was examined using fluorescence-labeled protein and synthetic hydroxyapatite. Phosphophoryn, bone Gla protein, osteonectin and bone small proteoglycan II were prepared and labeled with fluorescein. All of these proteins were adsorbed on hydroxyapatite with a dissociation constant on the order of 10 −7 M. The more acidic proteins had lesser binding capacities. Hydroxyapatite single crystals were incubated with labeled proteins and observed with a fluorescence microscope. Phosphophoryn and other acidic proteins were adsorbed preferentially on the (100) face of the crystal. This preferential adsorption of the acidic proteins may be responsible for the morphogenesis of biological hydroxyapatite.

Differences between non-collagenous protein content of rat incisor and permanent bovine dentin.

The content of non-collagenous proteins, extractable upon demineralization, in dentin from permanent bovine teeth and continuously growing rat incisors was compared. In both tissues, highly phosphorylated phosphoprotein and proteoglycan were major non-collagenous components. Whereas gamma-carboxyglutamate-containing proteins of the osteocalcin type constituted a major fraction in rat dentin, these were virtually absent from bovine dentin. The two tissues differed in content and composition of phosphoproteins, the major non-collagenous protein fraction of dentin. Considerable differences were also found in the presence of other acidic non-collagenous proteins. It was concluded that the general non-collagenous protein composition of dentin from different species may differ fundamentally, but that such differences may be advantageous in exploring the different roles of specific components in the mechanism of biomineralization.