Matrix vesicles (MVs) induce calcification during endochondral bone formation. Experimental methods for structural, compositional, and functional analysis of MVs are reviewed. MV proteins, enzymes, receptors, transporters, regulators, lipids and electrolytes are detailed. MV formation is considered from both structural and biochemical perspectives. Confocal imaging of Ca(2+) and H(+) were used to depict how living chondrocytes form MVs. Biochemical studies revealed that coordinated mitochondrial Ca(2+) and Pi metabolism produce MVs containing a nucleational complex (NC) of amorphous calcium phosphate, phosphatidylserine and annexin A5--all critical to the mechanism of mineral nucleation. Reconstitution of the NC and modeling with unilamellar vesicles reveal how the NC transforms into octacalcium phosphate, regulated by Mg(2+), Zn(2+) and annexin A5. Extravasation of intravesicular mineral is mediated by phospholipases and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). In the extravesicular matrix, hydroxyapatite crystal propagation is enhanced by cartilage collagens and TNAP, which destroys inhibitory PPi, and by metalloproteases that degrade proteoglycans. Other proteins also modulate mineral formation. Recent findings from single and multiple gene knockouts of TNAP, NPP1, ANK, PHOSPHO1, and Annexin A5 are reviewed.

Fourier-transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the organic and mineral components of biological and synthetic calcium phosphate minerals. Raman spectroscopy provides information on biological minerals that is complimentary to more widely used infrared methodologies as some infrared-inactive vibrational modes are Raman-active. The application of FT-Raman technology has, for the first time, enabled the problems of high sample fluorescence and low signal-to-noise that are inherent in calcified tissues to be overcome. Raman spectra of calcium phosphates are dominated by a very strong band near 960 cm-1 that arises from the symmetric stretching mode (v1) of the phosphate group. Other Raman-active phosphate vibrational bands are seen at approximately 1075 (v3), 590 (v4), and 435 cm-1 (v2). Minerals containing acidic phosphate groups show additional vibrational modes. The different calcium phosphate mineral phases can be distinguished from one another by the relative positions and shapes of these bands in the Raman spectra. FT-Raman spectra of nascent, nonmineralized matrix vesicles (MV) show a distinct absence of the phosphate v1 band even though these structures are rich in calcium and phosphate. Similar results were seen with milk casein and synthetic Ca-phosphatidyl-serine-PO4 complexes. Hence, the phosphate and/or acidic phosphate ions in these noncrystalline biological calcium phosphates is in a molecular environment that differs from that in synthetic amorphous calcium phosphate. In MV, the first distinct mineral phase to form contained acidic phosphate bands similar to those seen in octacalcium phosphate. The mineral phase present in fully mineralized MV was much more apatitic, resembling that found in bones and teeth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

While previous studies revealed that matrix vesicles (MV) contain a nucleational core (NC) that converts to apatite when incubated with synthetic cartilage lymph, the initial mineral phase present in MV is not well characterized. This study explored the physicochemical nature of this Ca 2؉ and P i -rich NC. MV, isolated from growth plate cartilage, were analyzed directly by solidstate 31 P NMR, or incubated with hydrazine or NaOCl to remove organic constituents. Other samples of MV were subjected to sequential treatments with enzymes, salt solutions, and detergents to expose the NC. We examined the NC using transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive analysis with x-rays, and electron and x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, high performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We found that most of the MV proteins and lipids could be removed without destroying the NC; however, NaOCl treatment annihilated its activity. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that annexin V, a phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent Ca 2؉ -binding protein, was the major protein in the NC; high performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis revealed that the detergents removed the majority of the polar lipids, but left significant free cholesterol and fatty acids, and small but critical amounts of PS. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the NC was composed of clusters of ϳ1.0 nm subunits, which energy-dispersive analysis with x-rays revealed contained Ca and P i with a Ca/P ratio of 1.06 ؎ 0.01. Electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform-infrared analysis all indicated that the NC was noncrystalline.

No abstract

No abstract