Elongated polyproline motifs facilitate enamel evolution through matrix subunit compaction.

ABSTRACT: Vertebrate body designs rely on hydroxyapatite as the principal mineral component of relatively light-weight, articulated endoskeletons and sophisticated tooth-bearing jaws, facilitating rapid movement and efficient predation. Biological mineralization and skeletal growth are frequently accomplished through proteins containing polyproline repeat elements. Through their well-defined yet mobile and flexible structure polyproline-rich proteins control mineral shape and contribute many other biological functions including Alzheimer's amyloid aggregation and prolamine plant storage. In the present study we have hypothesized that polyproline repeat proteins exert their control over biological events such as mineral growth, plaque aggregation, or viscous adhesion by altering the length of their c

SUBMITTER: Jin T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2787623 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature