Growth of second stage mineral in Lytechinus variegatus.

Purpose and Aims: Sea urchin teeth consist of calcite and form in two stages with different magnesium contents. The first stage structures of independently formed plates and needle-prisms define the shape of the tooth, and the columns of the second stage mineral cements the first stage structures together and control the fracture behavior of the mature tooth. This study investigates the nucleation and growth of the second stage mineral. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron microComputed Tomography characterized the structures of the second phase material found in developing of Lytechinus variegatus teeth. RESULTS: Although the column development is a continuous process, defining four phases of column formation captures the changes that occur in teeth of L. variegatus. The earliest phase consists of small 1-2 µm diameter hemispheres, and the second of 5-10 µm diameter, mound-like structures with a nodular surface, develops from the hemispheres. The mounds eventually bridge the syncytium between adjacent plates and form hyperboloid structures (phase three) that appear like mesas when plates separate during the fracture. The mesa diameter increases with time until the column diameter is significantly larger than its height, defining the fourth phase of column development. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy confirms that the columns contain more magnesium than the underlying plates; the ratios of magnesium to calcium are consistent with compositions derived from x-ray diffraction. CONCLUSION: Columns grow from both bounding plates. The presence of first phase columns interspersed among third stage mesas indicates very localized control of mineralization.

Near tubule and intertubular bovine dentin mapped at the 250 nm level.

In this study, simultaneous diffraction and fluorescence mapping with a (250nm)(2), 10.1keV synchrotron X-ray beam investigated the spatial distribution of carbonated apatite (cAp) mineral and elemental Ca (and other cations including Zn) around dentin tubules. In 1µm thick sections of near-pulp root dentin, where peritubular dentin (PTD) is newly forming, high concentrations of Zn, relative to those in intertubular dentin (ITD), were observed adjacent to and surrounding the tubule lumens. Some but not all tubules exhibited hypercalcified collars (high Ca signal relative to the surrounding ITD), and, when present, the zone of high Ca did not extend around the tubule. Diffraction rings from cAp 00.2 and 11.2+21.1+30.0 reflections were observed, and cAp was the only crystal phase detected. Profiles of Ca, Zn and cAp diffracted intensities showed the same transitions from solid to tubule lumen, indicating the same cAp content and organization in ITD far from the tubules and adjacent to them. Further, the matching Ca and diffraction profiles demonstrated that all of the Ca is in cAp or that any noncrystalline Ca was uniformly distributed throughout the dentin. Variation of 00.2 and 11.2+21.1+30.0 diffracted intensity was consistent with the expected biaxial crystallographic texture. Extension of X-ray mapping from near 1µm resolution to the 250nm level, performed here for dentin and its tubules, will provide new understanding of other mineralized tissues.

Structure of first- and second-stage mineralized elements in teeth of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus.

Microstructure of the teeth of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus was investigated using optical microscopy, SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and SIMS (secondary ion mass spectroscopy). The study focused on the internal structure of the first-stage mineral structures of high Mg calcite (primary, secondary and carinar process plates, prisms) and on morphology of the columns of second-stage mineral (very high Mg calcite) that cement the first-stage material together. Optical micrographs under polarized light revealed contrast in the centers (midlines) of carinar process plates and in prisms in polished sections; staining of primary and carinar process plates revealed significant dye uptake at the plate centers. Demineralization with and without fixation revealed that the midlines of primary and carinar process plates (but not secondary plates) and the centers of prisms differed from the rest of the plate or prism, and SIMS showed proteins concentrated in these plate centers. SEM was used to study the morphology of columns, the fracture surfaces of mature teeth and the 3D morphology of prisms. These observations of internal structures in plates and prisms offer new insight into the mineralization process and suggest an important role for protein inclusions within the first-stage mineral. Some of the 3D structures not reported previously, such as twisted prisms and stacks of carinar process plates with nested wrinkles, may represent structural strengthening strategies.

Biochemical identification of homogentisic acid pigment in an ochronotic egyptian mummy.

Roentgenograms of an Egyptian mummy, dating from 1500 B.C., showed extensive calcification of the intervertebral discs and articular narrowing in both hip and knee joints. Biopsy cores from the right hip showed parallel black zones in the region of the articular surfaces, leading to a clinical diagnosis of ochrinosis. The black pigment was extracted, analyzed, and compared to an air-oxidized homogentistic acid polymer. The two substances apparently were identical. The chemical evidence thus confirms the clinical finding of ochronosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. This is, so far as known, the earliest verified case of this disorder.

Intermolecular interactions in collagen self-assembly as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

When a solution of collagen molecules, at neutral pH and moderate ionic strength, is warmed from 4 degrees to 30 degrees C, a spontaneous self-assembly process takes place in which native-type collagen fibers are produced. Events occurring during thermally induced fibrillogenesis process can be monitored, in aqueous media and in real time, by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques. Tentative assignments of observed spectral bands are given.

Isolation of an acidic protein from cholesterol gallstones, which inhibits the precipitation of calcium carbonate in vitro.

In seeking to identify nucleating/antinucleating proteins involved in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones, a major acidic protein was isolated from each of 13 samples of cholesterol gallstones. After the stones were extracted with methyl t-butyl ether to remove cholesterol, and methanol to remove bile salts and other lipids, they were demineralized with EDTA. The extracts were desalted with Sephadex-G25, and the proteins separated by PAGE. A protein was isolated, of molecular weight below 10 kD, which included firmly-bound diazo-positive yellow pigments and contained 24% acidic, but only 7% basic amino acid residues. The presence of N-acetyl glucosamine suggested that this was a glycoprotein. This protein at concentrations as low as 2 micrograms/ml, but neither human serum albumin nor its complex with bilirubin, inhibited calcium carbonate precipitation from a supersaturated solution in vitro. This protein could be precipitated from 0.15 M NaCl solution by the addition of 0.5 M calcium chloride. Considering that cholesterol gallstones contain calcium and pigment at their centers, and that small acidic proteins are important regulators in other biomineralization systems, this protein seems likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones.

Amelogenin gene splice products A+4 and A-4 implanted in soft tissue determine the reorientation of CD45-positive cells to an osteo-chondrogenic lineage.

Several molecules such as bone morphogenetic protein-7, bone sialoprotein (BSP), or amelogenin gene splice products (A+4 or A-4) have been shown to induce reparative dentin formation in a rat model. However, at the moment, the origin and the mechanism of differentiation of the pulp cells stimulated by the bioactive molecules remain poorly understood. The present investigation was undertaken to validate an ectopic oral mucosal mouse model to evaluate the effects of amelogenin gene splice product implantation in a non-mineralizing tissue. Agarose beads, alone or coated with amelogenin gene splice products, were implanted in the mucosa of the cheeks in mouse. An immunohistochemical characterization of the recruited cells was undertaken for 3 days, 8 days, and 30 days after the implantation. The results showed that the implantation of agarose beads in mucosa induced the recruitment of inflammatory CD45 positive cells. When the beads were coated with amelogenin gene splice products (A+4 or A-4), the expression of osteo-chondrogenic markers (RP59, Sox9, or BSP) was also observed. However, no mineralization nodule was observed, even after 30 days of implantation. The present investigation suggests that amelognin gene splice products have the capacity of recruiting among inflammatory cell mesenchymal progenitors that eventually differentiate into osteo-chondrogenic cells. Altogether, the results obtained in the pulp model and the present data suggest the existence of different pathways of cell recruitment and differentiation in different cellular environments.

The solubilization of bone and dentin collagens by pepsin. Effect of cross-linkages and non-collagen components.

Bone and dentin collagen are less susceptible to solubilization by pepsin digestion then is skin collagen. Digestion at 4 degrees C for 72 h solubilized only 35.3% of bovine cortical bone and 5.6% of bovine dentin compared with nearly 100% dissolution of bovine skin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and molecular sieve chromatography showed that, for bone and dentin, intact alpha chains and cross-linked aggregates of beta, gamma and higher weight remained intact after pepsin solubilization but lower molecular weight fragments also were prevalent indicating chain scission in helical regions. Electron microscopic examination of segment long spacing precipitates of the soluble collagens confirmed the presence of solubilized polymerized collagen. The principal reducible cross-link in both bone and dentin was the precursor of dihydroxylsinonorleucine and this cross-link was also present in the solubilized collagens. Small amounts of non-collagenous proteins and glycosaminoglycans of different compositions in dentin and bone resisted extraction before pepsin digestion. However, the differences in solubilization of the collagens have been related to differences in cross-linkage placement.

The limiting collagen microfibril. The minimum structure demonstrating native axial periodicity.

Collagen fibers were grown from solutions of acid-soluble or neutral salt-soluble collagen in 0.5 M acetic acid by rapid dialysis. The collagen was obtained under conditions where protease inhibitors were present at every stage of extraction and purification. Under the conditions used, length-wise but not lateral filament growth proceeded rapidly and gel-like networks were formed, Water readily exuded from the networks. The networks were stretched to fibrous form during drying. Small-angle X-ray diffraction showed the stretched fibrils to be highly ordered, showing up to 20 orders of the 670 A meridional periodicity. Intermediate- and wide-angle photographs show equatorial reflections at a spacing corresponding to approximately 12.5 A which is related to the intermolecular distance but none related to a microfibrillar packing at the 35-40 A level. Electron microscopy of the gel networks before stretching shows the presence of thin filaments with diameters predominantly in the 35-40 A range. No cross-striated fibrils are seen in electron micrographs of either stretched fibers or unstretched fibers. Thus, intermolecular packing in accord with the 670 A axial periodicity can take place within approximately 40 A diameter thin filaments. These correspond to the structures previously postulated to be collagen 'microfibrils'.

Factor XIIIa-catalyzed cross-linking of platelet and muscle actin. Regulation by nucleotides.

Actin from human blood platelets or rabbit skeletal muscle can serve as substrate for factor XIIIa. The latter catalyzes the incorporation of 1.5-2 mol monodansylcadaverine/mol rabbit actin and 0.5 mol/mol platelet actin. Highly cross-linked platelet and muscle actin polymers form in the absence of added amines, indicating the presence of both acceptor and donor sites. As expected, the cross-link was found to be a gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine bone, with an average of 0.3-0.4 mol dipeptide/mol platelet actin. Both cross-linking and amine incorporation are prevented by ATP, ADP, GTP, CTP, but not by AMP and cyclic AMP. These nucleotides may have important regulatory role in muscle and non-muscle systems.

Ca2+-dependent cross-linking processes in human platelets.

When platelet cytoplasmic Ca2+ is increased by the ionophore A23187 in the presence of the protease inhibitor leupeptin, there is the coincident appearance of a cross-linked polymer and the partial disappearance of monomeric protein and glycoprotein units. In the absence of leupeptin only 30% of the polymer was formed. The disappearance of monomeric protein bands, as detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, is prevented by histamine, which as a pseudodonor amine is a known inhibitor of transglutaminase-catalyzed cross-linking [14C]Histamine, at a tracer concentration, is incorporated into the polymer as well as into myosin, glycoproteins IIb and III, actin and tropomyosin. The loss of monomeric protein bands is mostly due to their conversion into polymers. Control measurements show that leupeptin effectively inhibited platelet Ca2+-dependent proteases. The cross-linking processes bringing about the observed increase in polymer formation are thus the result of a Ca2+-dependent platelet transglutaminase activity. The latter is located in the platelet cytosol and has been identified as platelet factor XIII on the basis of its specific cross-linking of fibrin. Platelet factor XIII, upon activation, may function physiologically to couple membrane proteins to cytoplasmic structural proteins. Thus, a new concept is proposed for the stabilization of platelet membranes and platelets as they form the hemostatic plug.

Mineral-matrix interactions in bone and dentin.

The bone, dentin, and cementum of the mature individual are comprised from a dense collagenous fiber network into which the carbonate-apatite mineral phase is deposited. It is hypothesized that a set of collagen-interactive acidic phosphoproteins are secreted by the osteoblasts, odontoblasts, and cementoblasts into the preformed collagenous matrix. These proteins then interact specifically with the collagen and nucleate apatite formation on and within the fibrils. These phosphoproteins may also regulate the morphology, rate of growth, and stability of the mineral phase crystals. The acidic matrix phosphoproteins may thus be considered as the crucial regulators of mineralization and tissue stability. In the dentin system, these regulatory proteins are synthesized, posttranslationally modified, and secreted in vesicles different from the collagen secretory vesicles. Mineralization occurs as the regulatory proteins are deposited on the preformed fibrils. This model requires testing in the bone system. In dentin, in the absence of tissue turnover, the resident phosphoproteins are degraded in situ over time, perhaps changing the properties of the tissue. Regulation of synthesis, secretory pathways and retention of integrity within the matrix are thus important areas for further investigation.

Casein kinase localization in the endoplasmic reticulum of the ROS 17/2.8 cell line.

Phosphophoryns (PPs) are phosphoproteins specific to the dentin matrix and are the major noncollagenous matrix proteins in rat incisor dentin. It has been hypothesized that their phosphate groups are important in dentin mineralization. PPs have many sequences which are substrates for membrane-associated endogenous messenger-independent kinases. The objective of this study was to localize the protein kinases involved in phosphorylating the PPs. Osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells, which secrete extracellular matrix phosphoproteins, were lysed. After removal of the nuclei and mitochondria by low-speed centrifugation, the membrane associated organelles were isolated at higher speed from the cytosol. The Golgi vesicle and rough microsome fractions were collected from 29-43.7% sucrose density gradients. Each fraction was tested for casein kinase II (CKII) activity using an in vitro phosphorylation assay with PPs as substrate. To characterize and confirm the nature of the components of the sucrose gradient fractions, the activities of specific enzymes such as N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase and cytochrome c reductase, which are exclusively associated with the Golgi and rough microsomes, respectively, were determined. Electron microscopy of the isolated fractions confirmed the enzyme assay characterizations. CKII activity capable of phosphorylating the PP was found in the rough microsome fraction but not in the Golgi. Thus, phosphorylation of the secreted phosphoproteins would appear to take place in the endoplasmic reticulum as a cotranslational event.

Changes in phenotypic gene expression in rat mandibular condylar cartilage cells during long-term culture.

Gene expression patterns have been investigated in prolonged cultures of rat mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) cells to examine the possibility of culture-induced phenotypic changes. MCC cells were isolated from newborn rats and grown in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). MCC cells were passaged and cultured in the presence of 10% FBS and bFGF until confluent. After confluence, the medium was changed to that supplemented with 10% FBS, ascorbate, and beta-glycerophosphate (day 1). Mineralization and gene expression of MCC cells have been investigated. Mineralization, visualized by staining with Alizarin red, was observed to begin at day 13 in culture, and increased up to day 22 in culture, which was the length of this study. Type II collagen and aggrecan mRNAs were highly expressed at the start of culture (day 1-4) and decreased in a time-dependent manner. Type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and osteopontin mRNAs expressed biphasic patterns that peaked at the start of culture and the beginning of mineralization (day 13-16). Osteonectin mRNA was expressed throughout the culture period. Osteocalcin mRNA was expressed before the beginning of mineralization peaking at day 7. These observations suggest that the gene expression patterns of MCC cells can be categorized into two different periods in prolonged culture: maturation (day 1-10) and mineralization (day 13-22). The day culture system of MCC represents a new model system in which the differentiation of embryonic MCC cells can be examined.

Localization of phosphophoryn in rat incisor dentin using immunocytochemical techniques.

We studied the distribution of the phosphophoryn present in rat incisors by immunolocalization and histochemical techniques. The polyclonal antibody used reacts with both phosphorylated and de-phosphorylated phosphophoryn. Technical problems encountered in immunostaining and in preparing sections from mineralized dentin were resolved by use of peroxidase-conjugated protein A as the "second antibody" in indirect immunostaining reactions and by surface etching of partially demineralized sections. Staining with anti-rat incisor alpha-phosphophoryn antibody showed light staining over the odontoblasts and proximal odontoblastic processes, no stain over the predentin, dense staining over the intertubular dentin, and no stain over the mantle dentin. In the intertubular dentin the stain intensity was directly related to the distribution of mineral. These findings were directly corroborated by staining with Stains All. The mineralization of dentin and the distribution of phosphophoryn within the dentin may be much less uniform than previously supposed.

In situ localization and chromosomal mapping of the AG1 (Dmp1) gene.

Dentinogenesis is being used as a model for understanding the biomineralization process. The odontoblasts synthesize a structural matrix comprised of Type I collagen fibrils which define the basic architecture of the tissue. The odontoblasts also synthesize and deliver a number of dentin-specific acidic macromolecules into the extracellular compartment. These acidic macromolecules may be involved in regulating the ordered deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals within the matrix. AG1 is the first tooth-specific acidic macromolecule to have been cloned and sequenced. To identify which cells of the rat incisor pulp/odontoblast complex were responsible for synthesis of AG1, in situ hybridization was used. Digoxigenin labeled sense and anti-sense AG1 riboprobes were prepared. The AG1 mRNA was found to be expressed in the mature secretory odontoblasts. Neither pulp cells nor pre-odontoblasts showed any staining with the anti-sense probes. Chromosomal localization studies placed the AG1 gene on mouse chromosome 5q21, in tight linkage with Fgf5. AG1 has been renamed Dmp1 (dentin matrix protein 1) in accordance with present chromosomal nomenclature. Mouse 5q21 corresponds to the 4q21 locus in humans. This is the locus for the human tooth mineralization disorder dentinogenesis imperfecta Type II (DI-II). These data suggest that the Dmp1 gene is involved in mineralization and is a candidate gene for DI-II.

Phosphorylation of extracellular bone and dentine matrix proteins.

Phosphoproteins appear to be involved in several ways in the regulation of the orderly deposition and crystal growth of mineral within the performed collagenous matrix of bone and dentine. The phosphorylation of these proteins is not yet understood. Potential protein kinases were extracted from an osteoblast-like cell line, ROS 17/2.8. The ROS 17/2.8 line was shown to produce a full complement of known kinases. However, neither bone phosphoproteins (BPP) nor dentine phosphophoryn (DPP) could be phosphorylated by the messenger dependent kinases. DPP and dephosphorylated BPP (dBPP) were substrates for a unique messenger independent kinase distinct from casein kinase II, and dDPP was a still better substrate. Thus, BPP and DPP are phosphorylated by a unique kinase or set of kinases which are messenger independent and have very specific substrate sequence requirements.

Rat incisor dentine contains a factor which alters the phenotypic expression and stimulates chondrogenesis in fibroblast-like cells in vitro.

A low molecular weight protein fraction isolated under dissociative conditions during the demineralization of rat incisor dentine has the ability to modulate, in culture, the expression of fibroblast-like cells explanted from neonatal rat muscle. The protein fraction enhances the incorporation of 35S-sulphate into a proteoglycan larger in weight than that produced by the uninduced cells; furthermore it induces the production of type II collagen. These changes take place in the absence of cell proliferation as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation. The altered fibroblast-like cells form nodules and secrete an abundant extracellular matrix which stains for proteoglycan after 7-9 days in culture. These data show that the dentine matrix does contain a factor which can initiate a mitogenesis-independent alteration in the expression of the muscle-explant outgrowth cells. Those changes are consistent with a shift to a chondrogenic mode.

Nonenzymatic glycation of human blood platelet proteins.

We studied 11 diabetic patients, all of whom had severe atherothrombotic disease, and 11 normal controls. Overall glycation was assessed by the extent of incorporation of [3H]-NaBH4 into fructosyl lysine separated from whole platelet proteins following aminoacid analysis. Fructosyl lysine represented 5.7% +/- 1.0 S.D. of the total radioactivity in the normal whole platelet samples. Increased glycation was observed in platelets from 5 of the 11 diabetics. Platelet glycation did not correlate with glycation of hemoglobin or albumin. The pattern of glycation of various platelet proteins in whole platelets, as determined by the incorporation of [3H]-NaBH4 into electrophoretically separated proteins did not display selectivity, although myosin and glycoproteins IIb and IIIa showed relatively increased levels of [3H]-NaBH4 incorporation. Artificially glycated platelet membranes exhibited glycation mainly in proteins corresponding to the electrophoretic mobility of myosin, glycoproteins IIb and IIIa.

The nature of covalent complexes of phosphoproteins with collagen in the bovine dentin matrix.

The bovine dentin matrix still contains some noncollagenous proteins after thorough extraction and decalcification. These have been obtained following digestion of the matrix by cyanogen bromide. Peptides containing non-collagenous portions were isolated by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose columns and fractionated on hydroxyapatite columns. Several fractions were obtained. The principal component was a complex between a highly-phosphorylated serine-aspartic acid-rich protein and a collagen peptide. These collagenous and non-collagenous moieties could not be separated from each other even under highly dissociative solvent conditions. After digestion with collagenase, the resulting phosphoprotein fraction still contained a few residues of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, and an enhanced content of proline, compared to the equivalent directly extractable phosphophoryn of the matrix. These data were interpreted as indicating that the phosphophoryn which is not extractable in 0.5M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is in fact covalently bound to some specific section of the matrix collagen. The covalent modification of the collagen matrix with highly acidic phosphoproteins may have an important role in the mineralization process.