title: Analysis of protein-induced calcium carbonate crystals in soft coral by near-field IR microspectroscopy.
abstract: The protein-induced chemical structure in calcified organisms is an important factor contributing to their growth, but until now no direct evidence has been reported. Hence, we demonstrate a new analytical technique that combines an FTIR spectrometer and an apertureless-type near-field microscope with high spatial resolution. The complete structural composition of the biomineralized structure of marine organisms has been measured using this technique. The results show that -OH is distributed over the center of the mineral phase of small calcite, which was formed from interactions of matrix proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan. azizur31@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M Azizur
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oomori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D003460:Crystallization; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D002119:Calcium Carbonate