Austromegabalanus psittacus barnacle shell structure and proteoglycan localization and functionality.

摘要: Comparative analyzes of biomineralization models have being crucial for the understanding functional properties biominerals and elucidation processes through which biomacromolecules control synthesis structural organization inorganic mineral-based biomaterials. Among calcium carbonate-containing bioceramics, egg, mollusk echinoderm shells, crustacean carapaces, fairly well characterized. However, Thoraceca barnacles, although crustacea, showing molting cycle, build a quite stable heavily mineralized shell that completely surround animal, is life firmly cemented to substratum. This makes barnacles an interesting model studying biomineralization. Here we studied main microstructural ultrastructural features Austromegabalanus psittacus barnacle shell, characterize occurrence specific proteoglycans (keratan-, dermatan- chondroitin-6-sulfate proteoglycans) in different soluble insoluble organic fractions extracted from tested them their ability crystallize carbonate vitro. Our results indicate that, model, are good candidates modification calcite crystal morphology, cooperative effect some additional proteins could not be excluded.