Histochemical Demonstration of Aminopeptidase Activity in the Developing Teeth of the Rat

Abstract

The histochemical demonstration of aminopeptidase was carried out, by the methods of BURSTONE and NACHLAS. L-leucyl-β-naphthyl amide and DL-alanyl-β-naphthyl amide hydrochloride were used as the substrates.
1. Aminopeptidase activity in the developing tooth and bone was found in the dental sac and the basal area of the pulp.
2. The odontoblasts, ameloblasts and the tip of the pulp were aminopeptidase negative, and the reduced enamel organ showed only a very slight amount of staining.
3. The localization of aminopeptidase in both leucyl-β-naphthyl amide and alanyl-β-naphthyl amide as the substrates was the same, and also BURSTONE and NACHLAS method showed a similar trend in the distribution.
4. This would suggest that the aminopeptidase is not directly related to calcification.