Molecular Mechanisms of Biomineralization in the Formation of Calcified Shells

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Abstract
Biological calcification processes (calcification, biomineralization) occur in microorganisms, in plants, and in the animal kingdom. Under physiological conditions, the results of mineral deposition in biological systems can be seen in the formation of bones, teeth, mollusc shells, egg shells, pearls, and corals. There are, however, also pathological aspects of biomineralization, including the formation of kidney stones (renal calculus), gallstones (biliary calculus), intravasal depositions (atherosclerosis, calcinosis), gallstones (biliary calculus), intravasal depositions (atherosclerosis, calcinosis). Abnormal mineralization processes (demineralization) can be found, e.g., in bone resorption (osteoporosis) and caries. A detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of biomineralization could help considerably toward solving some of the problems encountered in orthopedics, urology, cardiovascular science, dentistry and veterinary medicine. Research in biomineralization is always interdisciplinary. In this article the typical interaction between mineral phase and organic matrix will be demonstrated using two examples—mollusc shells and egg shells.

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