An alternative interpretation of nanobacteria-induced biomineralization.

ABSTRACT: The reported isolation of nanobacteria from human kidney stones raises the intriguing possibility that these microorganisms are etiological agents of pathological extraskeletal calcification [Kajander, E. O. & Ciftçioglu, N. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95, 8274-8279]. Nanobacteria were previously isolated from FBS after prolonged incubation in DMEM. These bacteria initiated biomineralization of the culture medium and were identified in calcified particles and biofilms by nucleic acid stains, 16S rDNA sequencing, electron microscopy, and the demonstration of a transferable biomineralization activity. We have now identified putative nanobacteria, not only from FBS, but also from human saliva and dental plaque after the incubation of 0.45-microm membrane-filtered samples in DMEM. Althou

SUBMITTER: Cisar JO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC17231 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature