Lattice Shrinkage by Incorporation of Recombinant Starmaker-Like Protein within Bioinspired Calcium Carbonate Crystals.

ABSTRACT: The biological mediation of mineral formation (biomineralization) is realized through diverse organic macromolecules that guide this process in a spatial and temporal manner. Although the role of these molecules in biomineralization is being gradually revealed, the molecular basis of their regulatory function is still poorly understood. In this study, the incorporation and distribution of the model intrinsically disordered starmaker-like (Stm-l) protein, which is active in fish otoliths biomineralization, within calcium carbonate crystals, is revealed. Stm-l promotes crystal nucleation and anisotropic tailoring of crystal morphology. Intracrystalline incorporation of Stm-l protein unexpectedly results in shrinkage (and not expansion, as commonly described in biomineral and bioinspired crys

SUBMITTER: Rozycka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6790713 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature