| Theme | Beyond bone mineral density : roles of collagen and its related mineral quality in bone fragility in osteoporosis, diabetes, and renal dysfunction | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Collagen mineralization and its abnormalities -- from ultrastructural aspects | |
| Publish Date | 2009/07 | |
| Author | Norio Amizuka | Division of Oral Health Science, Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Dental Medicine Graduate School |
| Author | Sobhan Ubaidus | Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University |
| Author | Sara Sultana | Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University |
| Author | Paulo Freitas | Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University |
| Author | Minqi Li | Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University |
| [ Summary ] | Collagen fibrils are major organic components of the bone matrix together with mineral crystals such as calcium phosphates. Immature bone, rapidly synthesized by active osteoblasts, exhibits randomly deposited collagen fibrils in bone. In contrast, bundles of collagen fibrils are regularly distributed in the compact cortical bone. When observed with electron microscopy, ribbon-like structures of mineral crystals are seen to be regularly arranged along with striations of collagen microfibrils. It seems likely that the ultrastructure of collagen microfibrils may affect the regularity of crystal arrangements therein. The initial process of collagen mineralization is still under investigation, and more detailed examinations are necessary. | |