Calcification by proteolipid from atherosclerotic aorta

Calcified atherosclerotic aorta was examined for proteolipid capable of nucleating apatite, the crystal species of aortic calcification. Appropriate tissue pieces were decalcified with dilute formic acid and extracted with chloroform-methanol. Lipid fractionation yielded proteolipid which, upon incubation in metastable calcium phosphate solution, induced apatite crystallization. The proteolipid was partially characterized as a hydrophobic protein, acidic phospholipid complex. It resembles the nucleator previously demonstrated for bone matrix calcification.