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The book presents a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding mechanisms regulating the formation of mineral in vertebrate skeletal and dental tissues. The focus of the book is directed toward the mineralization process, an evolutionarily conserved system in which cells synthesize a complex and unique extracellular matrix into which mineral is deposited. Regulatory control is viewed though lenses that emphasize the genetic, physical-chemical, biochemical, structural, cellular and extracellular aspects of the mineralization process as they relate to crystal nucleation, growth and maturation. Throughout the book, defects in regulation at the genetic and transcriptional levels are linked to the numerous clinical problems associated with the mineralization of bone, cartilage, tendon, tooth, and soft tissues.
The book serves as a comprehensive text for basic scientists and scholars working in the many areas that comprise hard tissue research, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and those contemplating working in the field of biomineralization or who need a review of a specific mineralization topic. The information contained in the book is relevant for clinicians and clinical scientists in the fields of orthopaedic surgery, veterinary medicine, dentistry, endocrinology, aging and genetics.
List of contents
Introduction.- In the Beginning.- The Enigma of Edith: Free Energy, Nucleation and the Formation of Mineral.- Form and Function of Tissues that Undergo Mineralization.- Genes and Gene Networks Regulating Mineralization.- Calcium and Phosphate Ion Uptake, Distribution and Homeostasis in Cells of Vertebrate Mineralizing Tissues.- Calcium and Phosphate Ion Efflux from Cells: The Roles of Matrix Vesicles, Extracellular Vesicles, and Other Membrane-invested Transporters in Vertebrate Hard Tissue Mineralization.- Collagen-based Mineralization of Bones, Teeth and Other Vertebrate Skeletal Tissues.- The Role of Non-collagenous Proteins and Other Matrix Molecules in Vertebrate Mineralization.- Local and Systemic Regulation of Mineralization: Role of Coupling Factors, Pyrophosphate, Polyphosphates, Vitamin D, Fetuin, Matrix Gla Protein and Osteopontin.- Observations Concerning Mineral Deposition in Soft Tissues: Regulation of Aberrant Mineral Deposits.- Epilogue.
