Abstract
Tooth regeneration is one of the final goal of dental science. However, it is difficult to form proper tooth containing enamel, dentin and cementum. In this study, we focused on the function of extrecellular matrix, especially enamel matrix protein, which is essential for the enamel formation.
Ameloblastin is one of the enamel matrix protein secreted by ameloblasts. This involved in the determination of cell polarity, regulation of proliferation and secretion of amelogenin. In ameloblastin null-mutants, severe enamel hypoplasia was observed. This phenotype was similar to human amelogenesis imperfecta. Furteher, the mutant mice developed an odontogenic tumor of dental epithelium origin. Thus, ameloblastin is one of the affected gene of amelogenesis imperfecta, and may inhibit tumor growth of odontogenic tumor as a therapeutic agents.
