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- Title
Genetic regulation of enamel mineralization.
- Authors
Lacruz, R. S.; Smith, C. E.; Hubbard, M. J.; Bromage, T. G.; Snead, M. L.; Kurtz, I.; Paine, M. L.
- Abstract
The evolution of biomineralization has required the advent of new genetic programs and/or the modification of preexisting programs. A revolutionary advance in vertebrates was the ability to undertake controlled precipitation of calcium phosphate-based minerals, particularly hydroxyapatite. Surprisingly little is known about the cellular machinery and regulatory processes involved in the mineralization of hard tissues. In this study we have exploited the two-step process of enamel formation to achieve the first comprehensive molecular survey of the enamel organ by microarray analysis to identify the genetic events driving enamel mineralization. Using the rat incisor as a model, we isolated enamel organ cells from secretory and maturation stages. Over 540 genes were identified as being ≥ 2-fold up- or down-regulated during maturation, the vast majority of which are novel to this field. Our results suggest that the functional switch from secretion to maturation involves a profound change at transcriptome level, and that many of the affected genes can be assigned to the areas of matrix turnover, calcium handling, pH and ion regulation. We also studied enamel phenotypes in mice and in pigs associated with disruptions to genes involved in mineralization. We here describe the nature of changes in the rat transcriptome and that of abnormal enamel phenotypes.
- Publication
Bulletin of the International Association for Paleodontology, 2013, Vol 7, Issue 1, p104
- ISSN
1846-6273
- Publication type
Article