Bone Abstracts

Bone mineralization is initiated by matrix vesicles (MVs), cell-derived structures released into the extracellular matrix which are nucleation sites for hydroxyapatite (HA) formation. It is suggested that annexins are mineralization-stimulating membrane proteins that exhibit ion channel activity and facilitate the influx of Ca2+ into MVs. The process is also regulated via enzymatic degradation of inhibitory pyrophosphate by tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (T...