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

Samuel Lenton, Tommy Nylander, Carl Holt, Lindsay Sawyer, Michael Härtlein, Harrald Müller, Susana C M Teixeira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Biophysics Journal
Early online date2016 Jan 16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Physical Chemistry

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