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Mineralogical signatures of stone formation mechanisms

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Abstract

The mechanisms involved in biomineralization are modulated through interactions with organic matrix. In the case of stone formation, the role of the organic macromolecules in the complex urinary environment is not clear, but the presence of mineralogical ‘signatures’ suggests that some aspects of stone formation may result from a non-classical crystallization process that is induced by acidic proteins. An amorphous precursor has been detected in many biologically controlled mineralization reactions, which is thought to be regulated by non-specific interactions between soluble acidic proteins and mineral ions. Using in vitro model systems, we find that a liquid-phase amorphous mineral precursor induced by acidic polypeptides can lead to crystal textures that resemble those found in Randall’s plaque and kidney stones. This polymer-induced liquid-precursor process leads to agglomerates of coalesced mineral spherules, dense-packed spherulites with concentric laminations, mineral coatings and ‘cements’, and collagen-associated mineralization. Through the use of in vitro model systems, the mechanisms involved in the formation of these crystallographic features may be resolved, enhancing our understanding of the potential role(s) that proteins play in stone formation.

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Abbreviations

PILP:

Polymer-induced liquid-precursor

CaCO3 :

Calcium carbonate

CaP:

Calcium phosphate

CaOx:

Calcium oxalate

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

POM:

Polarized optical microscopy

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported primarily by the National Institutes of Health grant RO1 DE13492—Bioengineering Research Partnership (work by Fairland Amos) although some observations were a result of studies funded by grants from the National Science Foundation DMR-0094209—Relevance of a PILP process to biomineralization, BES-0404000—Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team, and NASA NRA 00-OSS-01-043—Exobiology Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Laurie B. Gower & Fairland F. Amos

  2. Department of Pathology, Center for the Study of Lithiasis, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Saeed R. Khan

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  1. Laurie B. Gower
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  2. Fairland F. Amos
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  3. Saeed R. Khan
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Correspondence to Laurie B. Gower.

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Proceedings paper from the third international urolithiasis research symposium, Indianapolis, IN, USA, December 3–4, 2009.

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Gower, L.B., Amos, F.F. & Khan, S.R. Mineralogical signatures of stone formation mechanisms. Urol Res 38, 281–292 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-010-0288-z

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