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Mouse ameloblasts do not transcribe the albumin gene
R I Couwenhoven1, C Davis, M L Snead
1School of Dentistry, Laboratory for Developmental Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0191.
Calcified Tissue International
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Albumin is not produced by odontogenic cells, meaning it cannot be identical to enamelins, which are enamel-specific gene products. This research clarifies the origin of proteins in hard tissue development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Recent evidence suggests enamelins, enamel-specific proteins, may be identical to albumin.
- There are proposals that albumin plays a role in hard tissue organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the albumin gene is transcribed by cells involved in tooth enamel formation.
- To determine if albumin could be a biosynthetic product of odontogenic cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Northern blot hybridization with a mouse albumin gene cDNA clone (palb-3).
- Analyzed messenger RNA from secretory phase mouse mandibular first molar cells.
Main Results:
- The albumin gene was not transcribed by differentiated ameloblasts or other odontogenic cells.
- Albumin polypeptides are not synthesized by odontogenic cells.
Conclusions:
- Albumin is not identical to enamelins or other odontogenic tissue-specific gene products.
- If albumin is present in developing enamel, it is not derived from the odontogenic organ's biosynthetic activity.