Unfolded phosphopolypeptides enable soft and hard tissues to coexist in the same organism with relative ease

Holt, C. (2013) Unfolded phosphopolypeptides enable soft and hard tissues to coexist in the same organism with relative ease. Current Opinion in Structural Biology, 23(3), pp. 420-425. (doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2013.02.010)

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Abstract

Unfolded phosphopolypeptides that contain one or more multiply-phosphorylated short sequences can sequester amorphous calcium phosphate to form stable complexes of constant average size and chemical composition. . A biofluid containing such complexes is supersaturated with respect to the bone and tooth mineral, hydroxyapatite but is undersaturated with respect to the amorphous precursor phase. Thus, soft tissues permeated by the biofluid should not experience ectopic calcification and hard tissues should remain mineralised. Sequestration by caseins allows high concentrations of calcium and phosphate to be attained in milk while osteopontin, fetuin and other phosphopolypeptides may act in a similar way in blood, other biofluids, soft and hard tissues.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Holt, Dr Carl
Authors: Holt, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Current Opinion in Structural Biology
ISSN:0959-440X
ISSN (Online):1879-033X
Published Online:24 April 2013

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