Structural studies of hydrated samples of amorphous calcium phosphate and phosphoprotein nanoclusters

Lenton, S., Nylander, T., Holt, C. , Sawyer, L., Härtlein, M., Müller, H. and Teixeira, S. C. M. (2016) Structural studies of hydrated samples of amorphous calcium phosphate and phosphoprotein nanoclusters. European Biophysics Journal, 45(5), pp. 405-412. (doi: 10.1007/s00249-015-1109-7) (PMID:26780236)

Abstract

There are abundant examples of nanoclusters and inorganic microcrystals in biology. Their study under physiologically relevant conditions remains challenging due to their heterogeneity, instability, and the requirements of sample preparation. Advantages of using neutron diffraction and contrast matching to characterize biomaterials are highlighted in this article. We have applied these and complementary techniques to search for nanocrystals within clusters of calcium phosphate sequestered by bovine phosphopeptides, derived from osteopontin or casein. The neutron diffraction patterns show broad features that could be consistent with hexagonal hydroxyapatite crystallites smaller than 18.9 Å. Such nanocrystallites are, however, undetected by the complementary X-ray and FTIR data, collected on the same samples. The absence of a distinct diffraction pattern from the nanoclusters supports the generally accepted amorphous calcium phosphate structure of the mineral core.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Holt, Dr Carl
• Authors: Lenton, S., Nylander, T., Holt, C., Sawyer, L., Härtlein, M., Müller, H., and Teixeira, S. C. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Journal Name: European Biophysics Journal
• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• ISSN: 0175-7571
• ISSN (Online): 1432-1017
• Published Online: 16 January 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Springer Berlin Heidelberg
• First Published: First published in European Biophysics Journal 45(5):405-412
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher