Promotion of fluorapatite crystallization by soluble-matrix proteins from Lingula anatina shells

Citation

Lévêque I, Cusack M, Davis SA & Mann S (2004) Promotion of fluorapatite crystallization by soluble-matrix proteins from Lingula anatina shells. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 43 (7), pp. 885-888. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200353115

Abstract
The geological longevity of Lingula, depicted, suggests that the lightly mineralized carbonate-substituted fluorapatite (FAP) shell has remained well-adapted to evolutionary pressures. Contrary to earlier studies, soluble macromolecules isolated from Lingula shells are shown to specifically promote FAP crystallization by the destabilization of an amorphous calcium phosphate precursor.

Keywords
Biomineralisation; biosynthesis; crystal growth; natural products; proteins

Journal
Angewandte Chemie International Edition: Volume 43, Issue 7