NMR investigation of the role of osteocalcin and osteopontin at the organic-inorganic interface in bone.

ABSTRACT: Mechanical resilience of bone tissue decreases with age. The ability to comprehensively probe and understand bone properties could help alleviate this problem. One important aspect of bone quality that has recently been made evident is the presence of dilatational bands formed by osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN), which contribute to fracture toughness. However, experimental evidence of the structural role of these two proteins at the organic-mineral interface in bone is still needed. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) is emerging as a useful technique in probing molecular level aspects of bone. Here, we present the first SSNMR study of bone tissue from genetically modified mice lacking OC and/or OPN. Probing the mineral phase, the organic matrix and their interface reveal

SUBMITTER: Nikel O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3901427 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature