The spatial and temporal coordination of the many events required for osteogenic cells to create a mineralized matrix are only partially understood. The complexity of this process, and the nature of the final product, demand that these... more
The spatial and temporal coordination of the many events required for osteogenic cells to create a mineralized matrix are only partially understood. The complexity of this process, and the nature of the final product, demand that these cells havemechanisms to carefullymonitor events in the extracellular environment and have the ability to respond through cellular and molecular changes. The generation of inorganic phosphate during the process of differentiation may be one such signal. In addition to the requirement of inorganic phosphate as a component of hydroxyapatite mineral, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, a number of studies have also suggested it is required in the events preceding mineralization. However, contrasting results, physiological relevance, and the lack of a clearmechanism(s) have created some debate as to the significance of elevated phosphate in the differentiation process.More recently, a number of studies have begun to shed light on possible cellular andmolecular consequences of elevated intracellular inorganic phosphate. These results suggest amodel inwhich the generation of inorganic phosphate during osteoblast differentiationmay in and of itself represent a signal capable of facilitating the temporal coordination of expression and regulation ofmultiple factors necessary for mineralization. The regulation of protein function and gene expression by elevated inorganic phosphate during osteoblast differentiation may represent a mechanism by which mineralizing cells monitor and respond to the changing extracellular environment. J. Cell. Biochem. 90: 234–243, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. y Key words: inorganic phosphate; osteoblast differentiation; calcium; osteopontin; alkaline phosphatase
Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is still a very common cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe and the disorder of calcium and inorganic phosphate metabolism has been poorly associated with the infection. This study was aimed at... more
Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is still a very common cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe and the disorder of calcium and inorganic phosphate metabolism has been poorly associated with the infection. This study was aimed at assessing the total serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels in PTB patients