Ion channels, channelopathies, and tooth formation.
The biological functions of ion channels in tooth development vary according to the nature of their gating, the species of ions passing through those gates, the number of gates, localization of channels, tissue expressing the channel, and interactions between cells and microenvironment. Ion channels feature unique and specific ion flux in ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and other tooth-specific cell lineages. Both enamel and dentin have active chemical systems orchestrating a variety of ion exchanges and demineralization and remineralization processes in a stage-dependent manner. An important role for ion channels is to regulate and maintain the calcium and pH homeostasis that are critical for proper enamel and dentin biomineralization. Specific functions of chloride channels, TRPVs, calcium channels, potassium channels, and solute carrier superfamily members in tooth formation have been gradually clarified in recent years. Mutations in these ion channels or transporters often result in disastrous changes in tooth development. The channelopathies of tooth include altered eruption (CLCN7, KCNJ2, TRPV3), root dysplasia (CLCN7, KCNJ2), amelogenesis imperfecta (KCNJ1, CFTR, AE2, CACNA1C, GJA1), dentin dysplasia (CLCN5), small teeth (CACNA1C, GJA1), tooth agenesis (CLCN7), and other impairments. The mechanisms leading to tooth channelopathies are primarily related to pH regulation, calcium homeostasis, or other alterations of the niche for tooth eruption and development.
Department of Oral Biology, Clinic of Oral Rare Diseases and Genetic Diseases, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, P.R. China.
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Duan
D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D058446:Ligand-Gated Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology
D007473:Ion Channels; D058446:Ligand-Gated Ion Channels
dental enamel; genetic diseases; tooth calcification; tooth root; transporter; unerupted tooth