Crystal growth-induced reconfiguration of the biopolymer framework in shell biomineralization

Abstract

In the field of shell biomineralization, one of the major challenges is to understand the interplay between the biopolymer framework and crystal growth. The widely accepted model proposes that the framework is pre-formed and stable, which directs the subsequent crystal growth. However, it remains unanswered whether the crystal growth can inversely influence the framework's configuration. Here, we find that, in the silver-colored spherulitic layer of a bivalve shell, the framework is reconfigured during mineralization. This result may provide a new direction in the study of shell biomineralization.