Hydroxyapatite mineralization and demineralization in the presence of synthetic phosphorylated pentapeptides

Abstract

A constant composition (CC) method was used to compare the influence of statherin-like N-terminal 5-residue fragments having different amino acids in the terminal position on hydroxyapatite (HAP) growth and dissolution. The CC experiments were done in solutions containing 4.00 × 10-4 mol/l calcium and 2.40 × 10-4 mol/l phosphate. The solutions used in the crystallization studies were super-saturated only with respect to HAP (pH = 7.40, σHAP = 3.60). The CC dissolution studies were done in solutions undersaturated with respect to HAP (pH = 6.00; σHap = -0.39). The HAP mineralization and demineralization processes were markedly inhibited by the negatively charged pentapeptides. Those containin..