Journal of Dental Research, Vol 60, 1793-1796, Copyright © 1981 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Calcifiability comparison among selected microorganisms
J. Ennever, J. L. Streckfuss and M. C. Goldschmidt
Seven ATCC strains of bacteria were examined for apatite formation in a
chemically-defined calcification-supporting medium and also in a metastable
calcium phosphate solution. One, E. coli, calcified in both. One, S.
aureus, calcified in the solution, but not in the medium. The other five
did not calcify in either. The results substantiate the belief that
calcification is restricted to certain microorganisms. However, they do not
rule out the possibility that a noncalcifiable microorganism has the
potential to calcify, and the activity is prevented by a cell component.
Additionally, the findings emphasize that determining microbiologic
calcifiability only in a calcification-supporting culture medium is
inadequate. In culture, an efficient calcium pump might preclude
calcification by establishing a cytoplasmic calcium level too low for
nucleation activation. Calcifiability assays should be done by incubating
minimally-metabolizing freeze-dried cells in metastable calcium phosphate
solution.
