Soluble protein of the organic matrix of mollusk shells: a potential template for shell formation.
A significant proportion of the soluble protein of the organic matrix of mollusk shells is composed of a repeating sequence of aspartic acid separated by either glycine or serine. This regularly spaced, negatively charged aspartic acid may function as a template upon which mineralization occurs.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D008974:Mollusca / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D011506:Proteins; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D002118:Calcium