Fluorescence enhancement through enzymatic cleavage of internally quenched dendritic peptides: a sensitive assay for the AspN endoproteinase

Abstract

Directed precipitation of silicic acid during the formation of diatom cell walls is promoted by polyamines (see picture) and peptides. These species‐specific organic matrices, which direct the biomineralization process to amorphous SiO2, are accessible only after dissolution of the silica cell wall with hydrogen fluoride