IADR Abstract Archives

Keynote Address: Progress Toward Understanding Enamel Formation

Abstract Body: The initiation and elongation of characteristic enamel mineral ribbons along the ameloblast apical membrane is the essential process of the secretory stage of dental enamel formation. Organic matrix removal and mineral deposition on the sides of previously deposited enamel crystals is central for the subsequent maturation stage. Biochemical characterization of secreted enamel proteins, cDNA and genomic cloning, mouse knockouts, and candidate gene studies of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) proved that AMELX, AMBN, ENAM, MMP20 and KLK4 were critical. Subsequent genetic studies identified numerous other genes involved in the etiologies of isolated or syndromic forms of amelogenesis imperfecta. These results revealed the significance of intracellular proteins, fostered appreciation for the vital roles played by ameloblasts, and highlighted the importance of endocytosis, tight junctions, peroxisomes, lysosomes, protein phosphorylation, ion transport, and others. Gene editing technology is being used to generate mouse models with specific mutations to improve our understanding of normal and pathological enamel processes, which should prove instrumental for characterizing disease mechanisms, understanding normal enamel formation and developing intervention strategies for managing inherited enamel defects.

AADR/CADR Annual Meeting
2018 AADR/CADR Annual Meeting (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2018
0054
  • Hu, Jan C.-c.  ( University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , United States )
  • Oral Session
    Keynote Address; Mineralized Tissue I
    Wednesday, 03/21/2018 , 01:30PM - 03:00PM