Molluskan shells are widespread natural calcium carbonate biominerals which are constructed for protection of internal soft bodies. The inner layer of these mineralized tissues, called nacre, provides exceptional toughness via its highly organized organic-inorganic composite structure. In spite of the small proportion, organic matrix composed of proteins and polysaccharides is regarded as a regulator for calcium carbonate aragonite crystal mineralization of nacre. Among the organic matrix, a recently known acidic aragonite-binding protein Pif80 from nacreous layer of pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, have been regarded as a significant component for the nacre formation. In this study, the recombinant Pif80 protein was designed and mass-produced in Escherichia coli system for its intensive characterization. The successively purified recombinant protein was used to investigate the interaction aspects with calcium ions and calcium carbonate mineral phases. From the effects of recombinant Pif80 on in vitro calcium carbonate mineralization in comparison with organic complex extracted from nacre of P. fucata, we expect that Pif80 protein plays a role in nacre-mimicking calcium carbonate mineralization.

Recombinant Pif80 protein for nacre-mimicking calcium carbonate biomineralization

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.