ACC (amorphous calcium carbonate) plays an important role in biomineralization process for its function as a precursor for calcium carbonate biominerals. However, it is unclear how biomacromolecules regulate the formation of ACC precursor in vivo. In the present study, we used biochemical experiments coupled with bioinformatics approaches to explore the mechanisms of ACC formation controlled by ACCBP (ACC-binding protein). Size-exclusion chromatography, chemical cross-linking experiments and negative staining electron microscopy reveal that ACCBP is a decamer composed of two adjacent pentamers. Sequence analyses and fluorescence quenching results indicate that ACCBP contains two Ca2+-binding sites. The results of in vitro crystallization experiments suggest that one Ca2+-binding site is critical for ACC formation and the other site affects the ACC induction efficiency. Homology modelling demonstrates that the Ca2+-binding sites of pentameric ACCBP are arranged in a 5-fold symmetry, which is the structural basis for ACC formation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the structural basis for protein-induced ACC formation and it will significantly improve our understanding of the amorphous precursor pathway.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
July 2013
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
- PDF Icon PDF LinkEditorial Board
Research Article|
June 28 2013
Structural characterization of amorphous calcium carbonate-binding protein: an insight into the mechanism of amorphous calcium carbonate formation
Jingtan Su;
Jingtan Su
*Institute of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Xiao Liang;
Xiao Liang
*Institute of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Qiang Zhou;
Qiang Zhou
†State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Guiyou Zhang;
Guiyou Zhang
*Institute of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Hongzhong Wang;
Hongzhong Wang
*Institute of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Liping Xie;
Liping Xie
*Institute of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
‡Protein Science Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
Search for other works by this author on:
Rongqing Zhang
Rongqing Zhang
1
*Institute of Marine Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
‡Protein Science Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, China
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email: rqzhang@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
February 22 2013
Revision Received:
May 02 2013
Accepted:
May 07 2013
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 07 2013
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2013 Biochemical Society
2013
Biochem J (2013) 453 (2): 179–186.
Article history
Received:
February 22 2013
Revision Received:
May 02 2013
Accepted:
May 07 2013
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 07 2013
Connected Content
Citation
Jingtan Su, Xiao Liang, Qiang Zhou, Guiyou Zhang, Hongzhong Wang, Liping Xie, Rongqing Zhang; Structural characterization of amorphous calcium carbonate-binding protein: an insight into the mechanism of amorphous calcium carbonate formation. Biochem J 15 July 2013; 453 (2): 179–186. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20130285
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.