Institute for Electron Microscopy (FELMI-ZFE), Graz University of Technology, Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz, Austria.
J Struct Biol. 2011 Apr;174(1):180-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2010.09.025. Epub 2010 Oct 12.
Biocalcification is a widespread process of forming hard tissues like bone and teeth in vertebrates. It is also a topic connecting life sciences and earth sciences: calcified skeletons and shells deposited as sediments represent the earth's fossil record and are of paramount interest for biogeochemists trying to get an insight into the past of our planet. This study reports on the role of silicon in the early biocalcification steps, where silicon and calcium were detected on the surface of cyanobacteria (initial stage of lacustrine calcite precipitation) and in crustacean cuticles. By using innovative methodological approaches of correlative microscopy (AFM in combination with analytical TEM: EFTEM, EELS) the chemical form of silicon in biocalcifying matrices and organic-inorganic particles is determined. Previously, silicon was reported to be localized in active growth areas in the young bone of vertebrates. We have found evidence that biocalcification in evolutionarily distant organisms involves very similar initial phases with silicon as a key element at the organic-inorganic interface.
生物矿化是脊椎动物形成硬组织（如骨骼和牙齿）的一种普遍过程。它也是连接生命科学和地球科学的一个主题：作为沉积物沉积的钙化骨骼和贝壳代表了地球的化石记录，对于试图深入了解我们星球过去的生物地球化学家来说，这是最感兴趣的。本研究报告了硅在早期生物矿化步骤中的作用，在蓝藻（湖泊方解石沉淀的初始阶段）和甲壳类动物的外骨骼中检测到硅和钙。通过使用相关显微镜（原子力显微镜与分析透射电子显微镜相结合：EFTEM、EELS）的创新方法，确定了生物矿化基质和有机-无机颗粒中硅的化学形式。此前有报道称，硅在脊椎动物的年轻骨骼中活跃的生长区域定位。我们已经有证据表明，在进化上相距甚远的生物体中，生物矿化涉及非常相似的初始阶段，硅作为有机-无机界面的关键元素。
