Life Sciences Commons^™

Characterization Of The Interaction Between Bone Sialoprotein And Type I Collagen, Rose Yee

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The mechanism of biomineralization is unknown. In bone, it has been proposed that an acidic phosphoprotein of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in the nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HA). The mineralized tissue protein, bone sialoprotein (BSP), has been shown to be a potent nucleator of HA and this activity is increased upon binding to type I collagen. The collagen-binding domain of BSP has been determined to be a highly conserved region (spanning residues 18-45); however, the area of collagen involved in this interaction is unknown.

In this study, a chemical cross-linking method was initially utilized to map the BSP-binding region …

Ectopic Mineralization Of Spinal Tissues In Mice Lacking Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1, Sumeeta Warraich

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) regulates the bi-directional transfer of hydrophilic nucleosides, such as adenosine, across the plasma membrane. Mice lacking ENT1 developed calcified lesions resembling diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in humans. By 12 months of age, ENT1^-/- mice exhibit spine stiffness, hind limb dysfunction, and paralysis. Histological examination of ENT1^-/- mice revealed irregular accumulations of eosinophilic material in paraspinal ligaments and entheses, intervertebral discs, and sternocostal articulations. There was no evidence of mineralization in appendicular joints or blood vessels. Analysis of intervertebral disc tissues of 6 month old ENT1^-/- and wild-type mice revealed reduced expression …