Glycolytic intermediates induce amorphous calcium carbonate formation in crustaceans

Nat Chem Biol. 2011 Apr;7(4):197-9. doi: 10.1038/nchembio.532. Epub 2011 Feb 20.

Abstract

It has been thought that phosphorus in biominerals made of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) might be related to ACC formation, but no such phosphorus-containing compounds have ever been identified. Crustaceans use ACC biominerals in exoskeleton and gastroliths so that they will have easy access to calcium carbonate inside the body before and after molting. We have identified phosphoenolpyruvate and 3-phosphoglycerate, intermediates of the glycolytic pathway, in exoskeleton and gastroliths and found them important for stabilizing ACC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Calcium Carbonate / chemistry
  • Calcium Carbonate / metabolism*
  • Crustacea / metabolism*
  • Glyceric Acids / chemistry
  • Glyceric Acids / metabolism
  • Glycolysis
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate / chemistry
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate / metabolism

Substances

  • Glyceric Acids
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate
  • 3-phosphoglycerate
  • Calcium Carbonate