The dynamics of formation of a collagen-phosphophoryn conjugate in relation to the passage of the mineralization front in rat incisor dentin

The unique biomineralization transcriptome and proteome of Lytechinus variegatus teeth

BACKGROUND

Matrix-regulated biomineralization involves the specific nucleation and growth of mineral phases within or upon preformed structured organic matrices. We hypothesized that there might be a general mechanism whereby anionic, phosphorylated mineral ion-binding proteins assist in specifically locating the mineral ions with respect to the mineralizing structural organic matrix. Here we extended these studies to invertebrate mineralization in Lytechinus variegatus (Lv) teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The tooth proteins were extracted and the phosphoproteins occluded in the mineral were enriched by passage through a ProQ Diamond phosphoprotein enrichment column, and subjected to MS/MS analysis. A Lv RNA-seq derived transcriptome database was generated. The MS/MS data found 25 proteins previously classified as "Predicted uncharacterized proteins" and many of the spicule matrix proteins. As these 25 proteins were also identified with the transcriptome analysis, and were thus no longer "hypothetical" but real proteins in the Lv tooth. Each protein was analyzed for the presence of a signal peptide, an acidic pI≤4, and the ability to be phosphorylated.

RESULTS

Four new Lv tooth specific Pro-Ala-rich proteins were found, representing a new class of proteins.

CONCLUSION

The tooth is different from the spicules and other urchin skeletal elements in that only the tooth contains both "high" and "very high" magnesium calcite, [Ca(1-X) Mg(X) CO3], where X is the mole fraction of Mg. We speculate that our newly discovered proline-alanine rich proteins, also containing sequences of acidic amino acids, may be involved in the formation of high magnesium and very high magnesium calcite.

Inositol hexasulphate, a casein kinase inhibitor, alters enamel formation in cultured embryonic mouse tooth germs

Post-translational modification of enamel proteins is regulated by casein kinases (CK) and results in binding sites for calcium ions that subsequently play a key role during the initial stages of mineralization. Phosphorylation may also influence the secretion and extracellular organization of enamel proteins. Previous studies indicated that inositol hexasulphate inhibited the activity of CK-I and/or CK-II in mouse tooth germs (Torres-Quintana et al., 1998). We hypothesized that inositol hexasulphate would also inhibit the activity of the specific casein kinase(s) identified in secretory ameloblasts, and would prove useful for determination of the extent to which phosphorylation might influence the organization of enamel proteins at early stages of enamel formation. To test this hypothesis, we dissected mandibular first molars from 18-day-old mouse embryos and cultured them for 11 days in the presence of 0-0.1 mM inositol hexasulphate. Ultastructural analysis revealed that the formation of enamel was largely impaired at an inhibitor concentration > or = 0.08 mM. Quantitative radioautographic analysis of [33P]phosphate incorporation indicated that radiolabeled phosphate normally secreted into forming enamel was retained within ameloblasts. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between control and inositol-hexasulphate-treated tooth germs when cultures were labeled with [3H]serine and [3H]proline. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis confirmed that while inositol hexasulphate inhibited CK-mediated phosphorylation, it did not significantly alter protein synthesis. We conclude that impairment of phosphorylation leads to intracellular accumulation of [3H]phosphate-containing material by ameloblasts. We also conclude that when non-phosphorylated enamel matrix proteins are secreted, they are either unable to form an enamel matrix that supports mineralization, or they diffuse throughout a poorly mineralized dentin.

Identification of lysyl oxidase and TRAMP as the major proteins in dissociative extracts of the demineralized collagen matrix of porcine dentine

Carbonated apatite (dahllite) is formed within and between collagen fibrils in the mineralization of connective tissues. However, the mechanism of crystal nucleation at these sites has not been resolved. To identify non-collagenous proteins that may be involved in the nucleation process we have utilized a dissociative extraction procedure to isolate proteins associated non-covalently with the de-mineralized collagen matrix of dentine isolated from tooth roots of adult porcine incisors. Following extraction of dentine fragments with 4M GuHCl (G1-extract) and 0.5M EDTA (E-extract), de-mineralized collagen matrix-associated proteins were isolated with a second series of extractions with 4M GuHCl (G2-extract). Analysis of the G2-extracts on SDS-PAGE revealed two major 32 kDa and 24 kDa protein bands, comprising > 80% of the extracted non-collagenous proteins. The 32 kDa protein was purified by FPLC on hydroxyapatite and Mono Q resins, followed by HPLC reverse-phase chromatography. Small amounts of 26 kDa and 6 kDa proteins, which appear to represent proteolytically processed, disulphide-linked fragments of the 32 kDa protein, co-eluted with the major protein. The 32 kDa protein was identified as lysyl oxidase from amino acid sequence analysis of a 13 kDa CNBr peptide obtained from protein purified by preparative electrophoresis on SDS-PAGE. Fractionation of the 24 kDa protein on FPLC Mono Q resin generated < 5 closely eluting protein peaks. The proteins from these peaks were similar in size, staining properties, amino acid composition and CNBr digestion patterns. Each protein was immunoreactive with antibodies raised against a tyrosine-rich acidic matrix protein (TRAMP), reported previously to co-purify with lysyl oxidase. These studies, therefore, show that lysyl oxidase, which is important in collagen cross-link formation, and proteins with properties of TRAMP, a protein that can modulate collagen fibrillogenesis, are the major proteins in dissociative extracts of de-mineralized porcine dentine.

Apatite induction by insoluble dentin collagen

Phosphoproteins are thought to play a role in mineral formation in dentin. A portion of this phosphoprotein is bound to collagen. We have investigated the requirement for bound phosphate in mineral induction by isolated dentin collagen. Insoluble bovine dentin collagen obtained by ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) demineralization had 19.5 mol of P/mol of collagen that could not be extracted with 0.5 M EDTA in 4 M guanidine HCl. When this collagen was incubated in supersaturated solutions that did not spontaneously precipitate, apatite was induced. With progressive enzymatic dephosphorylation, induction times for mineral formation became progressively longer. The dentin did not induce mineral formation when 90% of the ester phosphate was removed. Insoluble bone collagen, which had even less phosphate, also did not induce mineral formation. Mineral induction times by dentin collagen increased with decreasing solution saturations. Using these data, the interfacial tension for mineral induction was determined to be 90 ergs/cm2. This value approximated that of phosphatidic acid liposomes and of phosvitin cross-linked to agarose beads, and it might reflect the energetics of heterogeneous nucleation on a highly phosphorylated surface. Sequestering of calcium-phosphate clusters on the phosphoprotein probably accounts for the observed calcium binding by dentin collagen in excess of that required to neutralize the phosphate esters of the collagen. Because the phosphoprotein is immobilized at a low density on the collagen, it cannot self-associate in calcium-phosphate solutions as it does when it is free in solution. This immobilized phosphoprotein allows the mineral clusters formed on its surface to grow into a crystalline order.

An immunocytochemical study of the routes of secretion of collagen and phosphophoryn from odontoblasts into dentin

Polyclonal antibodies to rat incisor phosphophoryns and to the amino-telopeptide of the alpha1 (I)-chain of type I collagen were used to follow the pathways of movement of collagen I (COL1) and phosphophoryns (PP) from synthesis in the odontoblast to secretion into the mineralized dentin. The antibodies were detected at the transmission electron microscopic level by their reaction with Protein A-colloidal gold conjugates. Special care was given in specimen preparation to retention of maximal antigenicity during fixation while maintaining cellular and extracellular ultrastructure at the mineralization front (MF) in nondemineralized sections. Intracellularly, COL1 and PP were detected within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi (G) and secretory granules (SG). However, as determined by double-immunolabeling with different size gold particles the COL1 and PP were not found together within the same ER, G or SG compartments. PP was localized within the tubular ER, round-shaped transitional vesicles, the Golgi and in narrow asymmetric SG. These asymmetric SG were found in abundance in the odontoblastic process. PP secretion from these vesicles was near the MF at the predentin-dentin boundary. COL1 was localized within rosette form ER compartments, the Golgi and in large, distinctive SG. COL1 was deposited at the cell-predentin boundary. No COL1 SG were seen within the odontoblastic process near the MF. In the region of the MF, prior to mineralization, the PP was localized along the surfaces of the COL1 fibrils of the predentin. The mineral phase etched surfaces revealed both COL1- and abundant mineral-associated PP. These data support the hypotheses that, in dentin, the interaction between COL1 and PP may initiate crystal nucleation and that additional interactions between PP and the growing crystals may modulate the crystal growth pattern and crystal size.

Bound phosphoproteins enhance mineralization of alkaline phosphatase-collagen complexes in vivo

Phosphoproteins (PP) covalently bound to a collagenous matrix have been reported to promote its mineralization in vitro. It was the aim of the present study to determine whether PP also enhance the mineralization of collagen in vivo. To this end, collagen slices were prepared from demineralized bovine cortical bone. Following immobilization of rat dentin phosphoprotein (PP) to the slices, bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was bound according to the SATA-MHS coupling method. Controls were without enzyme. The slices were implanted into skin pockets prepared over the skull of female Wistar rats (6-10 weeks old). After 3-31 days the implants were removed and analyzed for calcium and phosphate content. It was shown that slices of PP-treated bone collagen mineralized more rapidly and to a greater extent than bone collagen slices without PP. Controls remained free of mineral. It is concluded that mineralization of collagenous matrices, induced by alkaline phosphatase, is enhanced by bound phosphoproteins following implantation in subcutaneous connective tissue.

In vitro and in vivo association of dentin phosphophoryn with alpha1CB6 peptide of type I collagen

A small number of molecules of phosphophoryns, dentin phosphoproteins, are associated to collagen tightly with the maturation of dentin. As an in vitro model of the process, we examined non-covalent association of phosphophoryns and collagen CNBr peptides. Cyanogen bromide peptides of type I collagen were separated with electrophoresis and transferred to a membrane, which was probed with labeled phosphophoryns. Phosphophoryns were bound preferentially to alpha1CB6 peptide. Another experiment using a cleavable crosslinking agent also demonstrated the affinity between phosphophoryns and the alpha1CB6 region of collagen. The matrix-bound fraction of phosphophoryns was solubilized by CNBr digestion of bovine dentin, and was partially purified. Compositional analysis revealed that the fraction was composed of association products of phosphophoryns and collagen at the ratio of 2:3. Considering the high molecular weight of the fraction, one phosphophoryn molecule should be associated with several collagen peptides. The fraction reacted with the antibody against alphalCB6 peptide. When the fraction was digested with lysyl endopeptidase, several peptides that coincided with peptides from alpha1CB6 were released. One of the peptides was sequenced and identified to be a peptide with Asp 975 of the alpha1(I) chain as an amino terminal residue. The alpha1CB6 peptide may be involved in the matrix-bound fraction, although involvement of other collagen peptides cannot be ruled out. Phosphophoryns may associate with collagen at the alpha1CB6 region at first, and then be immobilized on it, possibly by covalent crosslinking, with maturation of dentin. Binding of several alpha1CB6 peptides to a single phosphophoryn molecule is possible in current 3-dimensional models of collagen packing in mineralized tissue, which allows alignment of several hole zones in register.

Mineral-matrix interactions in bone and dentin

The bone, dentin, and cementum of the mature individual are comprised from a dense collagenous fiber network into which the carbonate-apatite mineral phase is deposited. It is hypothesized that a set of collagen-interactive acidic phosphoproteins are secreted by the osteoblasts, odontoblasts, and cementoblasts into the preformed collagenous matrix. These proteins then interact specifically with the collagen and nucleate apatite formation on and within the fibrils. These phosphoproteins may also regulate the morphology, rate of growth, and stability of the mineral phase crystals. The acidic matrix phosphoproteins may thus be considered as the crucial regulators of mineralization and tissue stability. In the dentin system, these regulatory proteins are synthesized, posttranslationally modified, and secreted in vesicles different from the collagen secretory vesicles. Mineralization occurs as the regulatory proteins are deposited on the preformed fibrils. This model requires testing in the bone system. In dentin, in the absence of tissue turnover, the resident phosphoproteins are degraded in situ over time, perhaps changing the properties of the tissue. Regulation of synthesis, secretory pathways and retention of integrity within the matrix are thus important areas for further investigation.

Dentinogenesis

The formation of dentin, dentinogenesis, comprises a sophisticated interplay between several factors in the tissue, cellular as well as extracellular. Dentin may be regarded as a calcified connective tissue. In this respect, as well as in its mode of formation, it is closely related to bone. Using dentinogenesis as an experimental model to study biomineralization provides several practical advantages, and the results may be extrapolated to understand similar processes in other tissues, primarily bone. After describing dentin structure and composition, this review discusses items such as the morphology of dentinogenesis; the dentinogenically active odontoblast, transport, and concentrations of mineral ions; the constituents of the dentin organic matrix; and the presumed mechanisms involved in mineral formation.

Dentin phosphophoryn binding to collagen fibrils

The interaction of rat incisor phosphophoryn with native turkey tendon collagen fibers has been examined by electron microscopy. The binding of phosphophoryn to the tendon fibril surfaces is quite selective. The phosphophoryn is seen as positively or negatively stained globular particles predominantly at the "e" band in the collagen gap region in transmission electron micrographs of the phosphophoryn-reacted fibrils. The selectivity of binding to the fibrils was obtained in the presence of calcium ions, which bind avidly to phosphophoryn. The specific association of phosphophoryn at the "e" band suggests a possible regulation of mineral deposition within the gap regions of the collagen fibrils.

The role of extracellular matrix components in dentin mineralization

The extracellular matrix of dentin consists of mineral (hydroxyapatite), collagen, and several noncollagenous matrix proteins. These noncollagenous matrix proteins may be mediators of cell-matrix interactions, matrix maturation, and mineralization. This review describes the current knowledge of the chemistry of mineral crystal formation in dentin with special emphasis on the roles of the dentin matrix proteins. The functions of some of these matrix proteins in the mineralization process have been deduced based on in vitro studies. Functions for others have been postulated based on analogy with some of the bone matrix proteins. Evidence suggests that several of these matrix proteins may have multiple effects on nucleation, crystal growth, and orientation of dentin hydroxyapatite.

Concentration-dependent effects of dentin phosphophoryn in the regulation of in vitro hydroxyapatite formation and growth

The effect of dentin phosphophoryn on hydroxyapatite formation and growth was studied in an in vitro gelatin gel diffusion system. Phosphophoryn, in low concentrations (0.010-1 microgram/ml) promoted de novo hydroxyapatite formation; at a higher concentration (100 micrograms/ml) in the same system, the dentin matrix protein inhibited hydroxyapatite growth. Similar inhibition of hydroxyapatite growth was seen in solution. The intact phosphophoryn was not essential for either inhibition of seeded growth or promotion of mineralization, since the formic acid degraded protein was comparably effective. Transmission electron microscopy of the precipitates formed at 7 days showed no significant differences in crystallite size distribution in the presence and absence of phosphophoryn. However there was a dose-dependent decrease in the number of mineral clusters formed in the presence of increasing amounts of phosphophoryn, suggesting inhibition of secondary nucleation. These data provide support for the postulated 'multifunctional' role of the dentin phosphoprotein in the mineralization process.

Dentin matrix proteins: composition and possible functions in calcification

Dentin may be regarded as a mineralized connective tissue. In its composition as well as its mode of formation, dentin exhibits several similarities with bone, but also definite differences. The dentin organic phase, the matrix, determines its morphology and is believed to be instrumental in the formation of the mineral phase. A fibrous web of collagen type I dominates the organic matrix. Also, minor amounts of other collagen types may be present. The noncollagenous proteins (NCPs), which constitute about 10% of the matrix, fall into several categories: phosphoproteins, Gla-proteins of the osteocalcin type as well as matrix Gla-protein, proteoglycans, different acidic glycoproteins, and serum proteins. Some of these NCPs have unique chemical compositions that give them specific properties. Dentinogenesis occurs by two simultaneous processes: the formation of a collagenous web in predentin, which is followed by the formation of the inorganic phase at the mineralization front. The composition of the predentin organic matrix differs from that of dentin, as some NCP components are secreted extracellularly just in advance of the mineralization front. In addition, some constituents of predentin seem to be metabolized. The NCPs may be important to several processes during dentinogenesis. Much evidence indicates that noncollagenous components in the matrix are instrumental in mineral formation. New data show that polyanionic NCPs, such as phosphoprotein and proteoglycans, when immobilized on a solid support, induce apatite formation under physiological conditions. These data indicate that polyanionic NCPs may function as mineral nucleators in vivo. They may also act as size and rate regulators for crystallization and promote calcium ion diffusion in the tissue. In addition, NCPs may regulate collagen fibrillogenesis.

Noncollagenous matrix proteins and their role in mineralization

Improved technologies have led to the isolation of a large number of noncollagenous matrix proteins from the mineralized connective tissues. These proteins have been postulated to have many functions, but few of their suggested roles have been verified. Many of the noncollagenous matrix proteins are thought to regulate the deposition of hydroxyapatite mineral. In this review the current information on the role of these proteins in the mineralized and mineralizing connective tissues is presented along with a synopsis of the methods currently being used to elucidate these functions.

Phosphoprotein synthesis and secretion by odontoblasts in rat incisors as revealed by electron microscopic radioautography

The secretory pathway of dentin phosphoproteins in rat incisors was studied by electron microscopic radioautography after the injection of 3H-serine, and the results were compared with those using 3H-proline as a tracer. Five min after injection of 3H-serine, radioactivity was found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. At 10 min, silver grains were observed over the spherical portions of the cisface of the Golgi apparatus. At 20 min after injection, silver grains were seen over the cylindrical portions of the transface of the Golgi apparatus. The secretory granules showed the strongest reaction from 20 min to 1 hr. At 45 min, a significant labeled band appeared at the mineralization front. At 1 hr, the labeling at the mineralization front began to appear in the mineralized dentin, and after 12 hr this labeled band was located within the mineralized dentin. The pathway of 3H-proline was essentially the same as that of 3H-serine, but 3H-proline moved more slowly than 3H-serine, especially in transit from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Secretory granules were heavily labeled from 30 min to 1 hr after injection of 3H-proline; no labeling was found at the mineralization front at 45 min. The labeling seen initially over the predentin was over the mineralized dentin no earlier than 6 hr after injection. The labeling pattern with 3H-serine is closely related to the localization of phosphoproteins, whereas the pattern with 3H-proline reflects the production of collagen rather than of phosphoproteins. The present radioautographic results indicate that dentin phosphoproteins are related to secretory granules and are secreted by odontoblasts at the mineralization front and also that phosphoproteins are involved in the process of mineralization of the circumpulpal dentin.

Increase of dentin phosphophoryn with dentin formation

Dentin phosphophoryn was quantified on bovine and rabbit dentin at three developmental stages. Phosphophoryn was extracted from teeth with 0.6M HCl, and quantified as optical density on DEAE-cellulose chromatogram or as phosphoserine content. Bovine phosphophoryn showed progressive increase with formation of dentin. Matrix-associated phosphophoryn was also quantified as phosphoserine content in insoluble dentin residue which was extracted with 6 M urea after decalcification. This fraction increased with formation of dentin both in bovine and rabbit dentin. Phosphophoryn is thought to be related to the later stage of dentin formation.

Type I collagen shows a specific binding affinity for bovine dentin phosphophoryn

Bovine dentin phosphophoryn was iodinated with 125I, then tested for binding to native monomeric collagen, to collagen fibrils, and to gelatin. The phosphophoryn was found to bind reversibly, but specifically, to both collagen monomers and fibrils, but not to denatured collagen (gelatin). Competitive binding studies showed that bovine serum albumin, fibronectin, and bovine bone 34K glycoprotein (osteonectin) did not compete with phosphophoryn and did not inhibit its binding to collagen fibrils. Phosvitin, a phosphoserine-rich protein, did compete, but sixfold higher concentrations of phosvitin than of unlabeled phosphophoryn were required to reduce iodinated phosphophoryn binding to the same extent. Quantitative analyses of the binding showed binding to be limited to the fibril surfaces. Bound phosphophoryn enhanced the uptake of 45Ca onto collagen fiber surfaces. These data support the hypothesis that, in dentin, the phosphophoryn plays an important role in localizing the calcium binding leading to the growth of collagen-oriented calcium hydroxyapatite crystals.

Characterization and immunocytochemical localization of dentine phosphoprotein in rat and bovine teeth

Dentine phosphoprotein (DPP) was isolated from unerupted bovine molars and from rat incisors. The proteins were characterized biochemically and used to immunize rabbits and guinea pigs. Antibody activity was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Guinea-pig anti-rat DPP did not cross-react with bovine DPP, but rabbit anti-bovine DPP did cross-react with rat DPP. Anti-rat DPP antiserum was applied to cryotome sections of rat molar tooth germs and DPP immunoreactivity was seen in dentine, odontoblasts, odontoblast processes and pre-ameloblasts. Anti-bovine DPP antiserum reacted positively in bovine dentine and dentinal tubules. When this antiserum was applied to rat tissue, predentine was positive but dentine was negative. Adsorption experiments with DPP, purified by methods including and excluding precipitation with calcium, suggested that non-calcium precipitable DPP is present in rat predentine. Rat and bovine DPP are thus species-specific and DPP is synthesized by the odontoblasts, transported through their processes and secreted into the dentine.

Immunohistochemical studies with a monoclonal antibody on the distribution of phosphophoryn in predentin and dentin

A monoclonal antibody was raised against phosphophoryn, a unique noncollagenous phosphoprotein in dentin. Mouse myeloma NS-I cells were fused with spleen cells obtained from BALB/c mice immunized with phosphophoryn from fetal calf tooth germs. Mice inoculated with the hybridoma produced ascites fluid containing the antibody and this reacted only with a band of phosphophoryn transblotted from polyacrylamide gel. Immunohistochemical studies with the antibody showed that phosphophoryn was present in odontoblasts, odontoblastic processes and dentin, but not in the matrix of predentin, and that the phosphophoryn content of the dentin layer was high at and around the predentin-dentin junction and gradually decreased toward the enamel layer. The area corresponding to mantle dentin was not stained with the antibody.

Proteoglycan synthesis and deposition in fetal rat bone

A pulse-labeling approach has been used to study proteoglycan metabolism in fetal rat bone. Pregnant rats were injected with [35S]sulfate and sacrificed 6, 24, or 48 h later. Fetal calvaria were dissected and extracted sequentially with 4 M guanidine hydrochloride and 4 M guanidine hydrochloride/0.5 M ( ethylenedinitrilo )tetraacetic acid (EDTA). With time after injection, the proportion of total incorporated radioactivity decreased in the guanidine pool (corresponding to nonmineralized bone and associated soft tissues) and increased in the guanidine/EDTA pool (mineralized bone). Chromatographic analysis of the proteoglycan species present in these pools after different labeling times indicated that three species of proteoglycan are synthesized in fetal rat calvaria. A large chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan and a smaller dermatan sulfate (DS) proteoglycan are located in the nonmineralized compartment. A CS proteoglycan similar in size to the DS proteoglycan is initially present in the nonmineralized bone but subsequently is located in the mineralized matrix. A fraction of the small CS proteoglycan is strongly associated with collagen.

Bovine dentin phosphophoryn: composition and molecular weight

The molecular weight of phosphophoryn, an acidic phosphoprotein unique to dentin matrix, has been difficult to determine because of a combination of neutral protease activities in this tissue and the intrinsic high charge density of the molecule. In this study, bovine dentin phosphophoryn (BDPP) was isolated by a procedure designed to prevent proteolysis. Bovine unerupted third molar powder was demineralized by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The EDTA-soluble phosphophoryn fraction was isolated and purified by sequential calcium chloride precipitation, gel filtration in sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO4) containing buffer, anion-exchange chromatography, and finally gel filtration in 4 M guanidine hydrochloride (4 M Gdn.HCl) buffer. Sedimentation equilibrium, sedimentation velocity, and diffusion coefficient data, viscosity studies in a high ionic strength buffer, and NaDodSO4 gradient gel electrophoresis data gave consistent results for the molecular weight of BDPP, all being in the range of 151 000-167 000. This range is much higher than any previously reported value. An anomalous behavior was observed in nongradient NaDodSO4 gel electrophoresis. Dissociative analytical gel filtration chromatography in 4 M Gdn.HCl gave a molecular weight value of 100 000. This discrepancy was resolved by studying the viscosity of BDPP in 4 M Gdn.HCl which showed BDPP does not assume a true random-chain conformation in this solvent.