Soluble Protein of the Organic Matrix of Mollusk Shells: A Potential Template for Shell Formation

Abstract

A significant proportion of the soluble protein of the organic matrix of mollusk shells is composed of a repeating sequence of aspartic acid separated by either glycine or serine. This regularly spaced, negatively charged aspartic acid may function as a template upon which mineralization occurs.

Identifiers

DOI

10.1126/science.1188379

Citations and references