Negri A.L.
Orthotopic mineralization begins with the production of matrix vesicles that are produced by polarized budding of the surface of condrocytes, osteoblasts and odontoblasts. It occurs in two steps: The first one is the formation of hydroxiapatite crystals within the matrix vesicles, followed by the propagation of the hydroxiapatite crystals through the membrane vesicle into the extra cellular matrix. In the regulation of orthotopic mineralization, apart from tissue-specific cells, a great number of enzymes, inorganic and peptide factors participate, that have complex interactions among them. Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) antagonizes the ability of phosphate (Pi) to crystallize with calcium and to form hydroxiapatite, thus suppressing its propagation. For the normal mineralization to continue, an adjusted balance of the extra cellular Pi and PPi levels is needed. Three molecules have been identified that have a central role in the regulation of extra cellular PPi levels: tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), which hydrolyzes PPi, the nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (NPP1), which generates PPi from triphosphate nucleosides, and the multiple-steps transmembrane protein ANK which transfers PPi from the intracellular to the extracellular compartment. There are, in turn, two SIBLING proteins called DMP1 and MEPE that regulate mineralization. The expression of DMP1 by the osteocyte is dramatically induced in response to mechanical loading increasing bone mineralization. MEPE protein contains a protease resistant motif called ASARM, which is believed to be the candidate for the mineralization inhibitor (minhibin). Osteopontin is another mineralization inhibitor in its phosphorilated form and its secretion is markedly reduced in knockout mice for NPP1. Present data seem to support the hypothesis that these molecules could be the translators of bone strain and participate in the regulation of mineralization of the perilacunar osteocytic space.
Orthotopic mineralization begins with the production of matrix vesicles that are produced by polarized budding of the surface of condrocytes, osteoblasts and odontoblasts. It occurs in two steps: The first one is the formation of hydroxiapatite crystals within the matrix vesicles, followed by the propagation of the hydroxiapatite crystals through the membrane vesicle into the extra cellular matrix. In the regulation of orthotopic mineralization, apart from tissue-specific cells, a great number of enzymes, inorganic and peptide factors participate, that have complex interactions among them. Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) antagonizes the ability of phosphate (Pi) to crystallize with calcium and to form hydroxiapatite, thus suppressing its propagation. For the normal mineralization to continue, an adjusted balance of the extra cellular Pi and PPi levels is needed. Three molecules have been identified that have a central role in the regulation of extra cellular PPi levels: tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), which hydrolyzes PPi, the nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (NPP1), which generates PPi from triphosphate nucleosides, and the multiple-steps transmembrane protein ANK which transfers PPi from the intracellular to the extracellular compartment. There are, in turn, two SIBLING proteins called DMP1 and MEPE that regulate mineralization. The expression of DMP1 by the osteocyte is dramatically induced in response to mechanical loading increasing bone mineralization. MEPE protein contains a protease resistant motif called ASARM, which is believed to be the candidate for the mineralization inhibitor (minhibin). Osteopontin is another mineralization inhibitor in its phosphorilated form and its secretion is markedly reduced in knockout mice for NPP1. Present data seem to support the hypothesis that these molecules could be the translators of bone strain and participate in the regulation of mineralization of the perilacunar osteocytic space.