Extracellular matrix mineralization is important for mechanical stability of the skeleton and for
calcium and phosphate storage. Professional mineral-disposing cell types are hypertrophic
chondrocytes, odontoblasts, ameloblasts and osteoblasts. Since ectopic mineralization
causes tissue dysfunction mineralization inhibitors and promoting factors have to be kept in
close balance. The most prominent inhibitors are fetuin-A, matrix-Gla-protein (MGP),
SIGBLING proteins and pyrophosphate. In spite of their ubiquitous presence, their loss …