Da. Walters et al., MODIFICATION OF CALCITE CRYSTAL-GROWTH BY ABALONE SHELL PROTEINS - ANATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPE STUDY, Biophysical journal, 72(3), 1997, pp. 1425-1433
A family of soluble proteins from the shell of Haliotis rufescens was
introduced over a growing calcite crystal being scanned in situ by an
atomic force microscope (AFM). Atomic step edges on the crystal surfac
e were altered in shape and speed of growth by the proteins. Proteins
attached nonuniformly to the surface, indicating different interaction
s with crystallographically different step edges. The observed changes
were consistent with the habit modification induced by this family of
proteins, as previously observed by optical microscopy. To facilitate
further studies in this area, AFM techniques and certain AFM imaging
artifacts are discussed in detail.