Biosilica formation in diatoms: Characterization of native silaffin-2 and its role in silica morphogenesis
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
The biological formation of inorganic materials with complex form (biominerals) is a widespread phenomenon in nature, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying biomineral morphogenesis are not well understood. Among the most fascinating examples of biomineral structures are the intricately patterned, silicified cell walls of diatoms, which contain tightly associated organic macromolecules. From diatom biosilica a highly polyanionic phosphoprotein, termed native silaffin-2 (natSil-2), was isolated that carries unconventional amino acid modifications. natSil-2 lacked intrinsic silica formation activity but was able to regulate the activities of the previously characterized silica-forming biomolecules natSil-1A and long-chain polyamines. Combining natSil-2 and natSil-1A (or long-chain polyamines) generated an organic matrix that mediated precipitation of porous silica within minutes after the addition of silicic acid. Remarkably, the precipitate displayed pore sizes in the range 100-1000 nm, which is characteristic for diatom biosilica nanopatterns.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 12075-12080 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America : PNAS |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 21 |
Publication status | Published - 24 Sept 2003 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 14507995 |
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ORCID | /0000-0002-4533-8860/work/142241041 |