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1: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 Dec 19;97(26):14133-8.Click here to read Click here to read Links

Species-specific polyamines from diatoms control silica morphology.

Kröger N, Deutzmann R, Bergsdorf C, Sumper M.

Lehrstuhl Biochemie I, Universität Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.

Biomineralizing organisms use organic molecules to generate species-specific mineral patterns. Here, we describe the chemical structure of long-chain polyamines (up to 20 repeated units), which represent the main organic constituent of diatom biosilica. These substances are the longest polyamine chains found in nature and induce rapid silica precipitation from a silicic acid solution. Each diatom is equipped with a species-specific set of polyamines and silica-precipitating proteins, which are termed silaffins. Different morphologies of precipitating silica can be generated by polyamines of different chain lengths as well as by a synergistic action of long-chain polyamines and silaffins.

PMID: 11106386 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC18883