title: Effect of kallikrein 4 loss on enamel mineralization: comparison with mice lacking matrix metalloproteinase 20.
abstract: Enamel formation depends on a triad of tissue-specific matrix proteins (amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin) to help initiate and stabilize progressively elongating, thin mineral ribbons of hydroxyapatite formed during an appositional growth phase. Subsequently, these proteins are eradicated to facilitate lateral expansion of the hydroxyapatite crystallites. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in enamel mineralization occurring in mice unable to produce kallikrein 4 (Klk4), a proteinase associated with terminal extracellular degradation of matrix proteins during the maturation stage. Mice lacking functional matrix metalloproteinase 20 (Mmp20), a proteinase associated with early cleavage of matrix proteins during the secretory stage, were also analyzed as a frame of reference. The results indicated that mice lacking Klk4 produce enamel that is normal in thickness and overall organization in terms of layers and rod/inter-rod structure, but there is a developmental defect in enamel rods where they first form near the dentinoenamel junction. Mineralization is normal up to early maturation after which the enamel both retains and gains additional proteins and is unable to mature beyond 85% mineral by weight. The outmost enamel is hard, but inner regions are soft and contain much more protein than normal. The rate of mineral acquisition overall is lower by 25%. Mice lacking functional Mmp20 produce enamel that is thin and structurally abnormal. Relatively high amounts of protein remain throughout maturation, but the enamel is able to change from 67 to 75% mineral by weight during maturation. These findings reaffirm the importance of secreted proteinases to enamel mineral acquisition.
authors: Facility for Electron Microscopy Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada. charles.smith@mcgill.ca
authors: Charles E
authors: CE
authors: Smith
authors: Amelia S
authors: AS
authors: Richardson
authors: Yuanyuan
authors: Y
authors: Hu
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: Bartlett
authors: Jan C-C
authors: JC
authors: Hu
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Simmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053519:Matrix Metalloproteinase 20 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D007610:Kallikreins; C120801:kallikrein 4; D053519:Matrix Metalloproteinase 20