Phospholipid-calcium phosphate complex: enhanced calcium migration in the presence of phosphate.

In the presence of acidic phospholipids, inorganic phosphate greatly enhances the net migration of calcium ions from the aqueous phase to the organic phase, an effect that does not occur at less than the physiological pH. The calcium complex in the organic phase is shown by electron microscopy to consist of spherules, composed of stoichiometric amount of calcium, inorganic phosphate, and phospholipid. The demonstration of complex formation between calcium phosphate and acidic phospholipids adds Support to the concept that phospholipids are involved in biological mineralization.