Calcium Carbonate Binding of Perlucin by Molecular Modeling Supported by Atomic Force Microscopic Measurements

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Nacre is a non-brittle, fiber-reinforced, corrosion resistant ceramic synthesized by organisms at ambient conditions. In this polymer/mineral-composite chitin forms a framework and different proteins control mineral growth. One of these proteins involved in nucleation and growth of calcium carbonate crystals is perlucin. Here we will focus on the molecular interactions of aforesaid proteins and mineral components. Perlucin will be used as a model to test if interaction of organic molecules with small ionic crystals leads to controlled growth of calcium carbonate crystals. Native and recombinant perlucin and its fragments will be used to investigate their interaction with calcite and aragonite by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Microscopic crystals will be grown in a new crystallisation device. The resulting crystal morphology will be investigated with different methods like AFM and transmission electron microscopy on several scales. Computational simulations will add a theoretical approach to the underlying molecular mechanisms. Experimental and theoretical work in molecular and computational biology as well as experimental biophysics is expected to be cross-fertilising. Consequently we anticipate comprehension of biomolecular structure formation which is the fundament for the synthesis of new functional materials.