Ultrastructural organic-inorganic relationships in calcified tissues: cartilage and bone vs. enamel.
Close organic-inorganic relationships exist in all calcified tissues, the inorganic substance being linked to crystal ghosts (CGs). These are organic, crystal-like structures present in areas of initial calcification. In cartilage and bone, they form aggregates with the same morphology and distribution as the calcification nodules; in enamel, they consist of long filament- and ribbon-like structures, having the same arrangement as untreated crystals. CGs of cartilage and bone are acidic structures with histochemical properties of proteoglycans; CGs of enamel probably correspond to enamelins. The close morphologic similarity between CGs and crystals suggests that the former have a role in the formation of the latter.
Bonucci
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Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002356:Cartilage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003461:Crystallography; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D014074:Tooth Calcification
D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C038456:tuftelin