Preparation of the proteolipid apoprotein from bovine heart, liver and kidney

MALL, a membrane-tetra-spanning proteolipid overexpressed in cancer, is present in membraneless nuclear biomolecular condensates

Proteolipids are proteins with unusual lipid-like properties. It has long been established that PLP and plasmolipin, which are two unrelated membrane-tetra-spanning myelin proteolipids, can be converted in vitro into a water-soluble form with a distinct conformation, raising the question of whether these, or other similar proteolipids, can adopt two different conformations in the cell to adapt their structure to distinct environments. Here, we show that MALL, another proteolipid with a membrane-tetra-spanning structure, distributes in membranes outside the nucleus and, within the nucleus, in membrane-less, liquid-like PML body biomolecular condensates. Detection of MALL in one or other environment was strictly dependent on the method of cell fixation used, suggesting that MALL adopts different conformations depending on its physical environment —lipidic or aqueous— in the cell. The acquisition of the condensate-compatible conformation requires PML expression. Excess MALL perturbed the distribution of the inner nuclear membrane proteins emerin and LAP2β, and that of the DNA-binding protein BAF, leading to the formation of aberrant nuclei. This effect, which is consistent with studies identifying overexpressed MALL as an unfavorable prognostic factor in cancer, could contribute to cell malignancy. Our study establishes a link between proteolipids, membranes and biomolecular condensates, with potential biomedical implications.

Aerobic training improves NAFLD markers and insulin resistance through AMPK-PPAR-α signaling in obese mice

Liver steatosis is one of the main drivers for the development of whole-body insulin resistance. Conversely, aerobic training (AT) has been suggested as non-pharmacological tool to improve liver steatosis, however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of 8-weeks AT in non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) outcomes in obese mice. Male C57BL/6 J wild type (WT) were fed with standard (SD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12-weeks. Another group fed with HFD underwent 8-weeks of AT (60% of maximum velocity), initiated at the 5th week of experimental protocol. We measured metabolic, body composition parameters, protein and gene expression inflammatory and metabolic mediators. We found that AT attenuates the weight gain, but not body fat accumulation. AT improved triacylglycerol and non-esterified fatty acid plasma concentrations, and also whole-body insulin resistance. Regarding NAFLD, AT decreased the progression of macrovesicular steatosis and inflammation through the upregulation of AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation and PPAR-α protein expression. Moreover, although no effects of intervention in PPAR-γ protein concentration were observed, we found increased levels of its target genes Cd36 and Scd1 in exercised group, demonstrating augmented transcriptional activity. AT reduced liver cytokines concentrations, such as TNF-α, IL-10, MCP-1 and IL-6, regardless of increased Ser536 NF-κB phosphorylation. In fact, none of the interventions regulated NF-κB target genes Il1b and Cccl2, demonstrating its low transcriptional activity. Therefore, we conclude that AT attenuates the progression of liver macrovesicular steatosis and inflammation through AMPK-PPAR-α signaling and PPAR-γ activation, respectively, improving insulin resistance in obese mice.

Exercise-induced AMPK activation and IL-6 muscle production are disturbed in adiponectin knockout mice

BACKGROUND

Adiponectin exhibits anti-inflammatory actions and is mainly expressed in adipose tissue. However, recent studies have shown that adiponectin can also be secreted by skeletal muscle fibers with autocrine and paracrine effects.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the role of adiponectin in the metabolic and inflammatory response of skeletal muscle after acute exhaustive aerobic exercise.

METHODS

C57BL/6 (WT) and adiponectin knockout (AdKO) mice underwent four days of treadmill running adaptation and at the fifth day, they performed an incremental maximum test to determine the maximum speed (Vmax). Acute exercise consisted of one hour at 60% Vmax. Mice were euthanatized 2 and 24 h after acute exercise session.

RESULTS

Serum and gastrocnemius adiponectin increased after 2-hours of acute exercise. NEFA concentrations were lower in non-exercise AdKO, and decreased 2-hours after exercise only in WT. No differences were found in muscle triacylglycerol content; however, glycogen content was higher in AdKO in non-exercise (p-value = 0.005). WT showed an increase in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation 2-hours after exercise and its level went back to normal after 24-hours. Otherwise, exercise was not able to modify AMPK in the same way as in AdKO. WT showed an increase in the phosphorylation of ACC (Ser79) 2-hours after exercise and return to normal after 24-hours of exercise (p-value < 0.05), kinects that was not observed in AdKO mice. IL-10 and IL-6 concentration was completely different among genotypes. In WT, these cytokines were increased at 2 (p-value < 0.01) and 24 h (p-value < 0.001) after exercise when compared with AdKO. NF-κBp65 protein and gene expression were not different between genotypes.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin influences muscle metabolism, mainly by the decrease in exercise-induced AMPK phosphorylation, inflammatory profile and IL-6 in the muscle.

Lung-derived soluble mediators are pathogenic in ventilator-induced lung injury

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) due to high tidal volume (V(T)) is associated with increased levels of circulating factors that may contribute to, or be markers of, injury. This study investigated if exclusively lung-derived circulating factors produced during high V(T) ventilation can cause or worsen VILI. In isolated perfused mouse lungs, recirculation of perfusate worsened injury (compliance impairment, microvascular permeability, edema) induced by high V(T). Perfusate collected from lungs ventilated with high V(T) and used to perfuse lungs ventilated with low V(T) caused similar compliance impairment and permeability and caused a dose-dependent decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) across rat distal lung epithelial monolayers. Circulating soluble factors derived from the isolated lung thus contributed to VILI and had deleterious effects on the lung epithelial barrier. These data demonstrate transferability of an injury initially caused exclusively by mechanical ventilation and provides novel evidence for the biotrauma hypothesis in VILI. Mediators of the TER decrease were heat-sensitive, transferable via Folch extraction, and (following ultrafiltration, 3 kDa) comprised both smaller and larger molecules. Although several classes of candidate mediators, including protein cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, macrophage inflammation protein-1α) and lipids (e.g., eicosanoids, ceramides, sphingolipids), have been implicated in VILI, only prostanoids accumulated in the perfusate in a pattern consistent with a pathogenic role, yet cyclooxygenase inhibition did not protect against injury. Although no single class of factor appears solely responsible for the decrease in barrier function, the current data implicate lipid-soluble protein-bound molecules as not just markers but pathogenic mediators in VILI.

Do soluble mediators cause ventilator-induced lung injury and multi-organ failure?

BACKGROUND

Significant advances in the management of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome have been few in the recent past despite considerable efforts in clinical testing and experimental work. The biotrauma hypothesis of ventilator-associated lung injury (VALI), suggesting that mechanical ventilation induces the release of injurious mediators from the lung, implies that pharmaceutical interventions targeting these circulating pathogenic mediators would be clinically beneficial. Among the commonly reported classes of ventilation-associated mediators are cytokines, coagulation factors, hormones (e.g., angiotensin-II), lipid-derived mediators and oxidants, yet proof of their pathogenicity is lacking.

DISCUSSION

This review discusses evidence surrounding the roles of these mediators in VALI and describes how definitive proof could be provided based on Koch's postulates, using an isolated perfused lung model. According to this experimental concept, candidate mediators would fulfill certain criteria, including increased accumulation in perfusate during injurious ventilation and induction of injury during non-injurious ventilation. Accumulation of mediators in the perfusate would facilitate isolation and characterization by standard biochemical means, from broad determination of physical and chemical properties to precise identification of individual molecules (e.g., by modern "omic" approaches such as mass spectrometry). Finally, confirmation by exogenous administration of mediators or antagonists can assess effects on injury and its mechanisms such as cell permeability or cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptation of Koch's postulates to the biotrauma hypothesis of VALI could provide important insights. Translation of the acquired knowledge into clinical testing is challenged by the heterogeneity of the patient population (e.g., etiology, co-morbidity, genetics or concomitant therapy) and the specificity and efficacy of the therapeutic intervention on the cellular/molecular level.

Biochemical characterization of two ram cauda epididymal maturation-dependent sperm glycoproteins

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against ram cauda epididymal sperm proteins solubilized by N-octyl-beta-D-glucopy-ranoside (anti-CESP) and against proteins of the fluid obtained from the cauda epididymidis (anti-CEF). The anti-CESP polyclonal antibody reacted with several bands from 17 to 111 kDa with different regionalization throughout the epididymis. The strongest epitopes at 17 kDa and 23 kDa were restricted to the cauda epididymidis. The anti-CEF polyclonal antibody reacted mainly with a 17-kDa and a 23-kDa compound in the cauda sperm extract. These cauda epididymal 17- and 23-kDa proteins disappeared after orchidectomy, but they reappeared in the same regions after testosterone supplementation, indicating that they were secreted by the epithelium. The fluid and membrane 17- and 23-kDa antigens had a low isoelectric point and were glycosylated. The fluid 17- and 23-kDa proteins had hydrophobic properties: they were highly enriched in the Triton X-114 detergent phase and could be extracted from the cauda epididymal fluid by a chloroform-methanol mixture. These proteins were further purified, and their N-terminal sequences did not match any protein in current databases. A polyclonal antibody against the fluid 17-kDa protein recognized the protein in the cauda epididymal sperm extract and immunolocalized it on the sperm flagellum membrane and at the luminal border of all cells in the cauda epididymal epithelium. These results indicated that secreted glycoproteins with hydrophobic properties could be directly integrated in a specific domain of the sperm plasma membrane.

Dispersal of proteolipid macroaggregates with trifluoroacetic acid and analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

The propensity of highly purified proteolipids to form macroaggregates in aqueous solutions, especially when heated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with or without thiol reagents, has made qualitative and quantitative analyses of individual species by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) difficult and unreliable. Comparisons of proteolipid profiles from liver, brain, and cultured human keratinocytes demonstrate that 40-72% of the total proteolipid in SDS-PAGE sample buffer is in the form of macroaggregates. Treatment of proteolipids with neat trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) followed by removal of the TFA and incubation in cold SDS-PAGE sample buffer causes complete dispersal of the macroaggregates and allows recovery of virtually all of the proteolipid applied to gels (increasing yields by as much as 3.6 times, depending on tissue type). Gels of TFA-treated samples display differences not only in the relative amounts of individual species but also in novel species not found in untreated samples. Eluted macroaggregates treated with TFA display the same SDS-PAGE banding profiles as TFA-treated whole proteolipids. Hence, routine TFA treatment of proteolipids prior to SDS-PAGE increases total proteolipid yields, allows reliable quantitation of individual apoprotein species, and reveals species previously obscured by the formation of macroaggregates.

Role of lipids in calcification of cartilage

This review addresses the role of lipids and membranes in biologic calcification and examines their regulation during endochondral ossification. The close association of lipids with mineral deposition has been well established. Early observations indicated that lipids, particularly phospholipids, can not be totally extracted from calcified tissues until the tissues are decalcified. Phospholipids associated with mineral are also enriched in extracellular membrane vesicles, called matrix vesicles. Numerous studies indicate that mineral deposits in calcifying cartilage are first seen in these phosphatidylserine and alkaline phosphatase enriched vesicles and that the process of endochondral calcification of epiphyseal growth plate is possibly mediated by them. Matrix vesicles, and the phospholipids present in them, appear to be involved in initial formation of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals via the interaction of calcium and phosphate ions with phosphatidylserine to form phospholipid:Ca:Pi complexes (CPLX). CPLX is present in tissues which are undergoing initial mineral deposition but are absent from nonmineralizing tissues. Evidence suggests that CPLX resides in the interior of matrix vesicles where the earliest mineral crystals are formed in association with the vesicle membrane. More recently, it has been determined that specific membrane proteins, called proteolipids, participate in CPLX formation and hydroxyapatite deposition, in part by structuring phosphatidylserine in an appropriate conformation. Phosphatidylserine involvement in the initiation of mineralization has been extensively investigated because of its extremely high binding affinity for Ca2+. In addition to structuring a specific phospholipid environment, proteolipids may also act as ionophores, promoting export of protons and import of calcium and phosphate, both requirements of biologic calcification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Human epidermal proteolipids: isolation, partial characterization, and subcellular localization

Since the first description of organic-soluble proteins (i.e., proteolipids), much attention has focused on the isolation, purification, characterization, localization, and function of these intrinsic membrane proteins in a variety of different tissues. Using a rapid purification scheme, which allowed the transfer of organic-soluble proteolipids to aqueous phases, we have isolated proteolipids from cultured human keratinocytes and human epidermis for the first time. A partial characterization of these proteolipids, including molecular-weight determination by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), amino acid composition, and an N-terminal sequencing revealed a preponderance of hydrophobic amino acids (greater than 60% overall and greater than 78% in N-terminal sequence), typical of other proteolipids. The composition of fatty acids, covalently bound to whole purified apoprotein fractions, displayed a predominance of palmitic greater than oleic greater than stearic acids. Comparison of the molecular species of proteolipids isolated from whole epidermis with those obtained from keratinocyte cultures by SDS-PAGE revealed a comparable spectrum of apoprotein species. Finally, subcellular fractionation of cultured keratinocytes, used to localize proteolipids to specific cellular compartments, suggested that one of the major apoprotein species (30 kD) is present in mitochondria, whereas the lower molecular weight species are localized in plasma membrane-enriched fractions. Although evidence is lacking for a specific function(s) of this class of molecules in the epidermis, the hypothesis that it plays a role in epidermal differentiation, for example, as constituents of calcium and/or proton pumps, is discussed.

Phosphorylation of multiple sites in a 15,000 dalton proteolipid from rat skeletal muscle sarcolemma, catalyzed by adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases

This study reports a partial characterization of a 15,000 dalton (15 kDa) proteolipid present in rat skeletal muscle sarcolemma. The proteolipid is phosphorylated by both cyclic AMP-dependent and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases, displays an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.9, and can be extracted from sarcolemma by acidified chloroform/methanol (2:1) or non-ionic detergents. Phosphoamino acid analysis and tryptic fingerprinting of the phosphorylated proteolipid indicate that both cyclic AMP- and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases predominantly phosphorylate serine residue(s) on a single tryptic peptide. Additivity experiments and thermolytic fingerprinting demonstrate a minimum of two distinct phosphorylation sites on the proteolipid, the phosphorylation of which is independently catalyzed by cyclic AMP-dependent and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases in vitro. This sarcolemma proteolipid, which appears to be identified to a sarcolemma protein previously reported to be phosphorylated upon addition of insulin in a GTP-dependent manner (Walaas, O., Walaas, E., Rye-Alertsen, A. and Horn, R.S. (1979) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 16, 45-55), therefore represents a possible membrane target for those neuronal and hormonal stimuli which can regulate cyclic AMP-dependent or calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activities in skeletal muscle.

Purification and characterization of a 22-kDa microsomal protein from rat parotid gland which is phosphorylated following stimulation by agonists involving cAMP as second messenger

Stimulation of secretion in exocrine glands by agonists involving cAMP as second messenger leads to the phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6 (protein I) and two other particulate proteins with apparent molecular masses of 24 kDa (protein II) and 22 kDa (protein III) [Jahn, R., Unger, C. & Söling, H. D. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 112, 345-352]. This report describes the purification and characterization of protein III. Solubilization studies indicate that protein III is an intrinsic membrane protein. It could be extracted from the endoplasmic reticulum membrane only with Triton X-100, SDS or concentrated formic or acetic acid. The purification of this protein involved extraction of the microsomes with Triton X-100, removal of the detergent by acetone precipitation, extraction of water-soluble proteins, lipids and lipoproteins, and preparative SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein has a basic pI (greater than 8.7). For determination of the amino acid composition of protein III and for sequencing of its amino-terminal portion, the protein was electroeluted out off the gel, the detergent removed and the protein finally purified by reversed-phase HPLC. Protein III could be phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase to a degree of approximately 0.14 mol phosphate/mol protein. The only phosphopeptide obtained after in vitro phosphorylation and subsequent tryptic or chymotryptic digestion was identical with the phosphopeptide obtained after stimulation of intact rat parotid gland lobules with isoproterenol. The sequence of this peptide was Lys-Leu-Ser(P)-Glu-Ala-Asp-Asn-Arg. It was confirmed by an analysis of the synthetic peptide following in vitro phosphorylation with cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The first 41 N-terminal residues of protein III were sequenced. So far no sequence homology with other known peptides or proteins could be found.

Deacylation of myelin proteolipid protein in organic solvents

A procedure has been developed for the deacylation of the hydrophobic, myelin proteolipid apoprotein using hydroxylamine in an alkaline organic solvent medium. Complete removal of covalently bound fatty acids was obtained after 4 hr of treatment. After deacylation, no changes could be detected in the electrophoretic pattern or in the number of free sulfhydryl groups. The deacylated apoprotein remains soluble in chloroform-methanol mixtures and is suitable for further physicochemical characterization.

Intrinsic fluorescence of a non-myelin apoproteolipid and evidence for the existence of conformational flexibility

An extremely hydrophobic protein (Mr = 16000), which in its native form is only soluble in organic solvents and which differs from the myelin proteolipid (Mr = 24000), was purified to homogeneity. Intrinsic fluorescence studies on this apoproteolipid have revealed a large conformational flexibility. In the water-soluble form the emitting residues appear to be buried in a hydrophobic core while in organic solvents they are exposed to the external medium. Structural changes depending on the organic solvent are also observed. The emission characteristics of reconstituted proteoliposomes may be due to the formation of a membrane-linked complex between several proteolipid monomers.

An electrophoretic analysis of proteolipids from different rat brain subcellular fractions

Proteolipid proteins were extracted from adult rat brain subcellular fractions and purified by chromatography on Sephadex LH-60. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the delipidized proteins, in the presence or absence of 8 M urea, was carried out with all fractions. The distribution of the various types of proteolipid proteins was studied and their molecular weight calculated by the Ferguson relationship. Several bands of proteolipid proteins were found in the five membrane fractions analyzed. Some of them, such as the 17.5 K and 37 K components were very prominent in mitochondria and synaptosomes. The 30 K component was found in myelin-derived membranes and in microsomes, while the 20 K and 25 K proteolipid proteins were present in all subcellular fractions. The 30 K component (proteolipid protein (PLP)), typical of the purified myelin membranes, showed a similar distribution to that of 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.4.37) activity, while the other major proteolipid protein present in all subcellular fractions (25 K) did not show such parallelism, indicating that it might not be an exclusive component of myelin. The electrophoretic pattern of microsomal proteolipid proteins did not show the high molecular weight components (aggregates of PLP) which are found in myelin. Furthermore, the 30 K component showed a smaller Y0 value than that of the 30 K found in myelin. Thus the presence of 30 K proteolipid protein in microsomes should not be considered as being due to myelin contamination.

Isolation of two proteolipids from rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

We have isolated two proteolipids from rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum by chromatography on columns of Sepharose CL-6B and Sephadex LH-60. One, PL-II, is identical to the proteolipid previously obtained by others using organic solvent extraction. The other, PL-I, has an amino acid composition very similar to those of proteolipids we previously isolated from canine cardiac SR and lamb kidney (Na,K)-ATPase.

Physical properties of bovine white matter proteolipid apoprotein-sodium dodecyl sulfate complexes

The interaction of bovine white matter proteolipid apoproteins with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was studied. Equilibrium dialysis binding measurements show that the apoprotein binds approximately 1.5 gm SDS per gram protein at high ionic strength (gamma/2 = 0.17). At low ionic strength (gamma/2 = 0.01) the protein binds only 0.90 gm per gram protein. The Stokes radius of the proteolipid protein is 40 A. Based on the circular dichroism spectrum, the apoprotein contains less than 20% alpha -helix structure in either aqueous or 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution. Analytical SDS-PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) revealed two polypeptides. The major proteolipid protein migrated with an apparent molecular weight of 26,000 daltons. The minor proteolipid protein exhibited a molecular weight of 22,200 daltons. The apoprotein showed a marked tendency to aggregate on 8 M urea-SDS-polyacrylamide gels or when heated at 100 degree in excess detergent. These results suggest that the proteolipid proteins have hydrophobic regions that are not embedded within the detergent micelle but are exposed to the solvent. These regions may serve as sites for intermolecular aggregation.

Relationship between proteolipids and calcium-phospholipid-phosphate complexes in Bacterionema matruchotii calcification

Calcium-phospholipid-phosphate complexes (Ca-PL-P) were isolated from calcified and uncalcified Bacterionema matruchotii and its calcified lipid extracts. Similar complexes were absent from the noncalcifying bacterium Actinomyces naeslundii. The majority of the Ca-PL-P complexes were associated with the proteolipid acidic phospholipid component. Ca-PL-P complexes isolated from B. matruchotii and from calcified proteolipid contained phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate, and phosphatidylserine. They consisted of approximately 52 mole % Ca, 32 mole % organic P, and 15 mole % Pi. During Ca-PL-P extraction from B. matruchotii or its proteolipid-containing calcified lipid extracts, the proteolipid was dissociated and the apoprotein precipitated as fluff at the aqueous-organic solvent interface, thus explaining the failure to detect protein in Ca-PL-P preparations. When the ability of Ca-PL-P complexes and lipid fractions of B. matruchotii to initiate apatite formation from metastable calcium phosphate solution was compared, the yield of hydroxyapatite decreased as follows: Ca-PL-P greater than proteolipid acidic phospholipids greater than proteolipid greater than crude phospholipid greater than total lipids greater than whole cells.

Availability of lysophosphatidylcholine in single bilayer vesicles for hydrolysis by lysophospholipase

Single bilayer vesicles were prepared from total rat liver microsomal lipids to which 5 mol% lysophosphatidylcholine had been added. The availability of lysophosphatidylcholine for enzymatic hydrolysis by lysophospholipase (EC 3.1.1.5) was found to be higher in vesicles prepared by the cholate dispersion technique when compared with sonicated vesicles. Sepharose 4 B chromatography showed that the vesicles prepared by the cholate technique were smaller than those prepared by sonication. This is in contrast to previous observations for egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles. Total rat liver microsomal extracts were found to contain proteolipid, which could be removed by ether precipitation. Cholate vesicles prepared from proteolipid-free extracts were still smaller than sonicated vesicle from this extract. Experiments with [14C] dextran entrapped in the vesicles indicate that there is no loss of the permeability barrier of the vesicles for high molecular weight solutes during vesicle treatment with lysophospholipase. The high availability of lysophosphatidylcholine in cholate vesicles of total rat liver microsomal lipids is discussed in terms of a highly asymmetric distribution of lysophosphatidylcholine over the inner and outer monolayer of the bilayer.

Characterization of Bacterionema matruchotii calcification nucleator

The nucleator of Bacterionema matruchotii calcification was characterized. Parameters examined were: proteolipid purity and singularity, amino acid composition and relative polarity, phospholipid composition, apoprotein homogeneity, essentiality of the complex for nucleation, and ordered structure. The data fulfill a requirement for comparisons among apatite-nucleating proteolipids.

Proteolipid and bone matrix calcification in vitro

Proteolipid was demonstrated to contain the nucleator of bone matrix calcification, in vitro. Crude phospholipid extracted from bone matrix was fractionated by gel filtration. A single, protein-containing fraction induced apatite crystallization in a metastable calcium phosphate solution. The fraction was identified as proteolipid. The result supports the validity of a microbiologic analogue for vertebrate calcification.