Role of matrix vesicles and crystal ghosts in bio-mineralization

Abstract

Matrix vesicles (MVs) are extracellular membrane-bound vesicles of about ~ 50–200 nm in diameter that play a role in the bio-mineralization process of hard tissue formation. The present review is based on the empirical phenomenon of primary mineralization process via matrix vesicle-mediated mechanism with special reference to crystal ghosts as well as the mechanism on the organic–inorganic relationship between matrix vesicles and crystal ghosts, and the transformation that these structures undergo during bio-mineralization.