The authors wish to thank Ulrich Schwarz for fruitful discussions. The DFG is gratefully acknowledged for financial support. High-performance computer resources were provided by the ZIH Dresden, and the MOLCAD package was used for molecular visualization.
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Communication
The Nucleation Mechanism of Fluorapatite–Collagen Composites: Ion Association and Motif Control by Collagen Proteins†
Article first published online: 21 MAY 2008
DOI: 10.1002/anie.200800908
Copyright © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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How to Cite
Kawska, A., Hochrein, O., Brickmann, J., Kniep, R. and Zahn, D. (2008), The Nucleation Mechanism of Fluorapatite–Collagen Composites: Ion Association and Motif Control by Collagen Proteins. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 47: 4982–4985. doi: 10.1002/anie.200800908
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 16 JUN 2008
- Article first published online: 21 MAY 2008
- Manuscript Received: 25 FEB 2008
- Abstract
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- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- apatite;
- biominerals;
- collagen;
- crystal growth;
- nucleation
Apatite for the structure: Nucleation mechanisms of apatite–collagen composites at the atomistic level of detail have been investigated. Peculiar motifs of the apatite crystal structure were identified in which formation is promoted by ion association to the biomolecule. Apart from acting as a nucleation seed for ionic ordering, collagen triple helices (see picture; red bands) also induce orientation control in these motifs.