A correlation between the distribution of biological apatite and amino acid sequence of type I collagen. 1991

M E Maitland, and A L Arsenault
Sports Medicine Centre, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

We have determined the localization of apatite within type I collagen fibrils of calcifying turkey leg tendons by both bright field and selected-area dark field (SADF) electron microscopy and have compared this to computer-modeled, chick type I collagen amino acid sequence data. Apatite crystals occur in both the gap and overlap zones at early stages of mineralization in an asymmetric pattern that corresponds to the polarity, N- to C- orientation, of the collagen molecule. Based on comparisons with computer-generated models of known amino acid sequence of collagen, it was determined for early stages of mineral deposition that apatite is restricted by areas of high hydrophobicity. The gap zone is less hydrophobic than the overlap zone on average but each of these zones had areas of high hydrophobicity that correlated with sites of low localization of mineral. Possible interactions between hydrophobic regions and the process of mineral deposition are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D002113 Calcification, Physiologic Process by which organic tissue becomes hardened by the physiologic deposit of calcium salts. Bone Mineralization,Calcification, Physiological,Physiologic Calcification,Mineralization, Bone,Physiological Calcification
D003094 Collagen A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of SKIN; CONNECTIVE TISSUE; and the organic substance of bones (BONE AND BONES) and teeth (TOOTH). Avicon,Avitene,Collagen Felt,Collagen Fleece,Collagenfleece,Collastat,Dermodress,Microfibril Collagen Hemostat,Pangen,Zyderm,alpha-Collagen,Collagen Hemostat, Microfibril,alpha Collagen
D003198 Computer Simulation Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes. Computational Modeling,Computational Modelling,Computer Models,In silico Modeling,In silico Models,In silico Simulation,Models, Computer,Computerized Models,Computer Model,Computer Simulations,Computerized Model,In silico Model,Model, Computer,Model, Computerized,Model, In silico,Modeling, Computational,Modeling, In silico,Modelling, Computational,Simulation, Computer,Simulation, In silico,Simulations, Computer
D000595 Amino Acid Sequence The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION. Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001031 Apatites A group of phosphate minerals that includes ten mineral species and has the general formula X5(YO4)3Z, where X is usually calcium or lead, Y is phosphorus or arsenic, and Z is chlorine, fluorine, or OH-. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Apatite
D013710 Tendons Fibrous bands or cords of CONNECTIVE TISSUE at the ends of SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS that serve to attach the MUSCLES to bones and other structures. Endotenon,Epotenon,Tendons, Para-Articular,Tendons, Paraarticular,Endotenons,Epotenons,Para-Articular Tendon,Para-Articular Tendons,Paraarticular Tendon,Paraarticular Tendons,Tendon,Tendon, Para-Articular,Tendon, Paraarticular,Tendons, Para Articular
D014422 Turkeys Large woodland game BIRDS in the subfamily Meleagridinae, family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. Formerly they were considered a distinct family, Melegrididae. Meleagridinae,Meleagrididae

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