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Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone Remodeling and Repair01:31

Bone Remodeling and Repair

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...

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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
08:03

Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model

Published on: June 11, 2017

Tiny Hopes─Assessing Protein Preservation in Collagen-Depleted Bones.

Emese I Végh1,2, Leila Afjehi-Sadat3, Maddalena Giannì1,2

  • 1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, 1 Djerassiplatz, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.

Journal of Proteome Research
|June 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Ancient bones, even those appearing collagen-free, often retain measurable collagen. This finding expands biomolecular analysis possibilities for human evolution studies in warm climates.

Keywords:
bonecollagendiagenesisnoncollagenous proteinsosteocalcinpalaeoproteomics

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Peptides from Phage Display Library Modulate Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Cells and Potentiate Osteogenesis in Unicortical Bone Defects
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Peptides from Phage Display Library Modulate Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Cells and Potentiate Osteogenesis in Unicortical Bone Defects

Published on: December 10, 2010

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Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
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Peptides from Phage Display Library Modulate Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Cells and Potentiate Osteogenesis in Unicortical Bone Defects
07:53

Peptides from Phage Display Library Modulate Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Cells and Potentiate Osteogenesis in Unicortical Bone Defects

Published on: December 10, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Paleoproteomics
  • Archaeological Science
  • Human Evolution

Background:

  • Biomolecular data from ancient skeletal tissues is crucial for understanding human evolution.
  • Warm climates often lead to complete collagen loss in bones, limiting study regions.
  • Traditional methods may misclassify bones as collagen-free, excluding them from valuable analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the survival of non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) and low-molecular-weight proteins in archaeological bones.
  • To assess protein preservation in bones traditionally deemed collagen-free.
  • To refine methods for protein extraction and analysis from challenging ancient samples.

Main Methods:

  • Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for osteocalcin quantification.
  • Qubit fluorometry for total protein measurement.
  • Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein characterization.
  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for diagenetic assessment.
  • Comparison of tangential flow filtration and centrifugal devices for protein recovery.
  • Evaluation of EDTA and HCl demineralization techniques with FASP and protein precipitation.

Main Results:

  • Non-collagenous proteins (NCPs), including osteocalcin, survive only if insoluble collagen is preserved.
  • Collagen was detected in the soluble supernatants of most "collagen-depleted" bones.
  • Abundant collagen peptides were found even in samples with 0% traditional collagen yield.
  • Tangential flow filtration showed superior protein recovery compared to centrifugal devices.
  • EDTA demineralization with FASP maximized collagen recovery, while HCl demineralization with protein precipitation best detected unique NCPs.

Conclusions:

  • Bones unsuitable for traditional collagen dating may still contain measurable collagen.
  • This study broadens the scope of biomolecular analyses possible in ancient bones from warm and humid climates.
  • Re-evaluation of "collagen-free" bones using advanced proteomic techniques is recommended for human evolution research.