Immunolocalization of gene products responsible for Amelogenesis Imperfecta and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta in mice

Abstract

Healthy tooth formation is crucially dependent on normal development of enamel and dentin. Any deviation from norm could lead to serious effects on the teeth function. Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DGI) are genetically inherited conditions that affect the teeth formation. Thus is imperative to investigate the genes and proteins that contribute to these conditions. Some of the known proteins that play a role in amelogenesis include AMELOGENIN (AMLEX), KALLIKREIN 4(KLK4), FAMILY WITH SEQUENCE SIMILARITY 83H (FAM83H), WD REPEAT-CONTAINING PROTEIN 72 (WDR72) and DENTIN SIALOPHSOPHPROTEIN (DSPP). The purpose of this research project was to investigate the expression/localization pattern of gene products which are known to be causative for Amelogenesis Imperfecta and Dentinogenesis Imperfecta.The study was carried out using mouse heads which were fixed, demineralized and paraffin-embedded. Samples were then sectioned and immunohistochemical analysis was performed with various enamel/dentin protein antibodies. The data showed the following results: KLK4 showed immunoreactivity mainly in ameloblasts and in the pulp, DSPP showed immunoreactivity in dentin, in the pulp and in the epithelial cells on one location as indicated by the arrow in figure 3 of the tooth cross section, FAM83H has a faint immunoreactivity identified in the ameloblasts, WDR72 showed weak immunoreactivity in the ameloblasts and AMELX showed immunoreactivity on the enamel and the ameloblasts. In conclusion these findings were supported by previous studies and conveyed the validity of IHC experiments in locating these proteins in odontogenic tissues.