Osteopontin binds multiple calcium ions with high affinity and independently of phosphorylation status

Osteopontin (OPN) is an acidic, intrinsically disordered extracellular matrix protein with a capacity to modulate biomineralization in vitro and in vivo. The role of posttranslational modification of osteopontin has been intensively studied. Phosphorylation of OPN has been demonstrated to play a role in inhibition of biomineral formation and growth in vitro. Here, we used isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to investigate the ability of OPN to bind the divalent cations Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), both essential components of inorganic minerals in vivo. We found, that bovine OPN binds ~10 Ca(2+) ions with an apparent affinity ~50-fold tighter than Mg(2+), both regardless of OPN phosphorylation, and with affinities significantly stronger than previously reported. These results were confirmed using human derived OPN. This implies that a majority of the acidic residues within OPN must be engaged in calcium interaction under physiological conditions.