Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Crisalejandra Rivera-Perez, Raquel G. Arroyo-Loranca, Norma Yolanda Hernandez-Saavedra
Summary: Biomineralization results in the hardening of mineralized materials, with the protein Hf15 identified as a novel shell matrix protein involved in shell mineralization in the Haliotis fulgens species.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Crisalejandra Rivera-Perez, Raquel G. Arroyo-Loranca, Norma Yolanda Hernandez-Saavedra
Summary: Biomineralization is the process of mineral hardening in animals, and studying mollusk shells helps in understanding the relationship between structure and function as well as the mechanism of mineral formation. This study isolated a low molecular weight protein called Hf15 from the shell of Haliotis fulgens, which has calcium and chitin binding properties and can precipitate calcium carbonate in vitro. The analysis revealed that Hf15 is a novel shell matrix protein involved in shell mineralization in Haliotis fulgens.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nuphar Bianco-Stein, Iryna Polishchuk, Arad Lang, Lotan Portal, Catherine Dejoie, Alexander Katsman, Boaz Pokroy
Summary: During biomineralization, organisms use high-Mg nanoparticles embedded in lower-Mg calcite matrices to enhance the mechanical properties of their skeletons. The formation of these nanoparticles is likely achieved through spinodal decomposition of an amorphous Mg-calcite precursor, and it is independent of the biological characteristics of the organisms but rather depends on their chemical composition and specific Mg content. This biostrategy significantly impacts the understanding of fracture resistance in biominerals.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Chuang Liu, Rongqing Zhang
Summary: The hard tissues of animals, such as skeletons and teeth, are constructed through a biologically controlled process called biomineralization. In invertebrate animals, biomineralization is considered crucial for their evolutionary success. Despite proteins accounting for about 5% of biominerals, they play critical roles in the process. With the advancement of high-throughput analysis methods like proteomics, data on biomineral proteins are rapidly accumulating, requiring a refined model for biomineralization.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li Yi, Bing Zou, Liping Xie, Rongqing Zhang
Summary: Matrix proteins play critical roles in shell formation, and a new method (DCSr-NL) to detect the Sr content in the nacreous layer has been proposed. Knockdown of nacrein or unknown gene NU9 significantly decreases the nacreous layer formation rate.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen Luo, Rui Jiang, Gang Ren, Can Jin
Summary: A novel matrix protein, hic12, was found to be involved in the biomineralization of the shell nacreous layer and pearl formation. Addition of rGST-Hic12 could accelerate the calcium carbonate deposition rate and change crystal morphology.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Garry W. Buchko, Mowei Zhou, Cat Hoang Vesely, Jinhui Tao, Wendy J. Shaw, Ryan A. Mehl, Richard B. Cooley
Summary: In this study, the researchers successfully expressed and purified C-13-, N-15-labeled murine amelogenin protein with phosphorylation at Ser-16 using a modified genetic code expansion protocol. This protein will be a valuable tool for studying the process of amelogenesis and mineralization.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nikolaos Anousakis-Vlachochristou, Dimitra Athanasiadou, Karina M. M. Carneiro, Konstantinos Toutouzas
Summary: This study reviews the alterations of structural native extracellular matrix proteins involved in the development of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and highlights its link to deregulated biomechanical function.
JACC-BASIC TO TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manjula P. Mummadisetti, Jeana L. Drake, Paul G. Falkowski
Summary: The spatial interactions of proteins embedded within the coral skeleton are highly coordinated, including those associated with carbonic anhydrase(s), alpha-collagen, cadherins, and other calcium-binding proteins. Understanding these protein-protein interactions is key to the formation and persistence of coral skeletons over time.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Merinda C. Nash, Walter Adey, Adela S. Harvey
Summary: The study on mineral composition of Amphiroa species revealed high levels of VHMC and dolomite, which may provide competitive advantage in acidified seawater. Further research is needed to understand the metabolic controls on VHMC/dolomite mineral formation.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Masa-Aki Yoshida, Kazuki Hirota, Junichi Imoto, Miki Okuno, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Rei Kajitani, Atsushi Toyoda, Takehiko Itoh, Kazuho Ikeo, Takenori Sasaki, Davin H. E. Setiamarga
Summary: The paper nautilus, also known as the greater argonaut, has been sequenced to reveal its genomic background and adaptations. The genome size is 1.1 Gb, the smallest among cephalopods, and it contains genes related to the pelagic lifestyle and shell formation. Comparative genomics analysis also found similar genes in shell-less octopus and Nautilus. This study provides insights into the genetic background of the paper nautilus and its evolution.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bettina Purgstaller, Vasileios Mavromatis, Katja E. Goetschl, Florian R. Steindl, Martin Dietzel
Summary: The study found that the transformation of amorphous calcium magnesium carbonate (ACMC) into high Mg-calcite (HMC) involves a dissolution and re-precipitation process, with higher temperatures enhancing the incorporation of magnesium into HMC. The nanocrystalline HMCs formed during the transformation process are physically defective due to rapid crystal growth and have higher solubilities compared to well-crystallized Mg-bearing calcites.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xianke Lu, Weina Hao, Sixiang Kuang, Yue Zhang, Mian Wu, Yuyuan Zhao
Summary: This study employed the semisolid injection molding technique to successfully fabricate SiCp/AZ91D composites. The SiC particles were uniformly distributed in the metal matrix without agglomeration. The microhardness of the composites decreased with increasing SiC content and initially decreased and then stabilized with the increase of casting temperature. The 2.5 wt% SiCp/AZ91D composite exhibited the highest tensile strength, being 10% higher than AZ91D and 18% higher than the 1 wt% SiCp/AZ91D composite. This study demonstrated the valuable application of semisolid injection molding in the manufacture of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Moara M. Castro, Luciano A. Montoro, Augusta Isaac, Megumi Kawasaki, Roberto B. Figueiredo
Summary: High-pressure torsion (HPT) processing was used to fabricate Mg-Zn composites, resulting in ultrafine-grained microstructures in all samples. Significant Zn segregations were observed near Mg-rich phases with smaller grain sizes. Additionally, bending and vortex phenomena were observed at the nanoscale in this study.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Artur Kudyba, Natalia Sobczak, Wojciech Polkowski, Grzegorz Bruzda, Adelajda Polkowska, Donatella Giuranno
Summary: This paper introduces new methodological concepts for examining the wettability of high vapor pressure liquid metal systems in contact with refractory materials, with experimental verification of the effects of different testing procedures on contact angle behaviors.
JOURNAL OF MAGNESIUM AND ALLOYS
(2021)