Bone collagen species-specificity

In contrast to calcareous invertebrates with their species specific shell organic matrix213-221 apatite depositors follow a rather conservative pattern set by collagen for bone, scale, and dentin deposition, or by a keratin-type protein in the case of enamel formation412. Nevertheless, a certain spread in the concentration of amino acids can be recognized if one, for instance, compares dentin of species en-... 

FIGURE 35.18 MALDI mass spectrum of bone collagen (I) a2 chain carboxytelopeptide showing species-specific differences among cows, chickens, humans, rabbits, and dogs ([135] figure reproduced with kind permission). 

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