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Human developing enamel proteins exhibit a sex-linked dimorphism.
A G Fincham1, C C Bessem, E C Lau
1Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033.
Calcified Tissue International
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Researchers found differences in human enamel proteins, allowing individuals to be distinguished by sex. This discovery relates to amelogenin
Area of Science:
- Biomineralization research
- Dental enamel development
- Human genetics
Background:
- Amelogenin protein regulates hydroxyapatite crystallite formation during enamel biomineralization.
- Genetic mutations in the amelogenin gene (AMEL) are linked to amelogenesis imperfecta.
- Human sex chromosomes contain two AMEL loci (AMELX and AMELY), unlike mice (AMELX only).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential sexual dimorphism in human developing enamel proteins.
- To determine if human AMELY is transcriptionally active.
- To identify protein-level differences in enamel that correlate with individual sex.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human developing enamel specimens.
- Protein-level examination for sexual dimorphism.
Main Results:
- First-time diagnosis of sex-distinguishing differences in human enamel proteins.
- Demonstrated that human developing enamel proteins exhibit sexual dimorphism.
Conclusions:
- Human developing enamel proteins display sex-specific variations.
- These protein differences can be used to determine the sex of an individual from enamel samples.