Amelotin-Mediated Crystals Assembly in Liquid-Phase and on Tooth Surface

Abstract

Objectives: To study the role of amelotin in enamel formation, purified recombinant human amelotin was used in a study of amelotin self assembly and its role in new HAP crstal structure formation in a laboratory setting. Methods: The full-length human amelotin gene was cloned from developing tooth buds and recombinant amelotin was expressed and purified. Morphological changes during amelotin self-assembly and the role of amelotin in promoting new minieralization structure is studied using Transmission electronic microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. Results: The measured molecular weight of expressed human amelotin was 28 kDa that matches the predicted values. Amelotin self-assembles to form nano-spheres 10 - 30 nm in size. The amelotin self-assembly process further produces higher 3-D structure in the forms of chain-like fabric arranged in parallel and perpendicular direction. The neonatal pearl crystals were arranged side by side to form a string of small rods and small parallel rods extend from the demineralized glaze on the surface of teeth that were pre-treated with amelotin.