title: Enamel maturation.
abstract: Enamel maturation is characterized by massive crystal growth in both width and thickness, resulting in the most highly mineralized of all mammalian skeletal tissues. The control of this process is mediated via a carefully orchestrated series of events that are temporally and spatially regulated, and it requires the co-ordinated degradation and removal of the endogenous enamel matrix. This is affected by both neutral metalloproteases and serine proteases, which are developmentally restricted and may be further modulated by changes in the chemistry of the enamel crystals themselves. Failure of these mechanisms, or the adventitious entry of mineral-binding proteins during the later stages of maturation, may result in the incomplete maturation of the enamel crystals and the eruption of dysplastic tissue.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Biology, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Brookes
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bonass
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Shore
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirkham
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000566:Amelogenesis; D000567:Amelogenesis Imperfecta / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003460:Crystallization; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D010450:Endopeptidases