Amelogenesis imperfecta, a new dental mutation in rats

We discovered a new dental mutation causing morphological abnormalities of the teeth in the SHR-SP strain of rats, maintained in the Research institute, Daiichi Seiyaku, Co., Ltd. The incisors of rats with this mutation are white in color, lacked hardness and were easily worn. The incisors broke or became bent with extended growth. Histological examination of the abnormal rats revealed amelogenesis imperfecta due to underdevelopment of tooth ameloblasts. The results of mating tests showed that this characteristic was inherited as an autosomal single recessive trait. We named this gene amelogenesis imperfecta (ami). The rats will prove to be a valuable models for studies on enamel formation.