Protein-mediated enamel mineralization.
Enamel is a hard nanocomposite bioceramic with significant resilience that protects the mammalian tooth from external physical and chemical damages. The remarkable mechanical properties of enamel are associated with its hierarchical structural organization and its thorough connection with underlying dentin. This dynamic mineralizing system offers scientists a wealth of information that allows the study of basic principels of organic matrix-mediated biomineralization and can potentially be utilized in the fields of material science and engineering for development and design of biomimetic materials. This chapter will provide a brief overview of enamel hierarchical structure and properties and the process and stages of amelogenesis. Particular emphasis is given to current knowledge of extracellular matrix protein and proteinases, and the structural chemistry of the matrix components and their putative functions. The chapter will conclude by discussing the potential of enamel for regrowth.
Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. joldak@usc.edu
Janet
J
Moradian-Oldak
D000567:Amelogenesis Imperfecta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053523:Amelogenin / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology*
C490889:AMBN protein, human; C507067:AMTN protein, human; D053523:Amelogenin; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D003764:Dental Materials; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D008903:Minerals; C038456:tuftelin; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases