A Mutation in CACNA1S Is Associated with Multiple Supernumerary Cusps and Root Maldevelopment

Enamel knots and Hertwig epithelial root sheath (HERS) regulate the growth and folding of the dental epithelium, which subsequently determines the final form of tooth crown and roots. We would like to investigate the genetic etiology of seven patients affected with unique clinical manifestations, including multiple supernumerary cusps, single prominent premolars, and single-rooted molars.

Oral and radiographic examination and whole-exome or Sanger sequencing were performed in seven patients. Immunohistochemical study during early tooth development in mice was performed.

A heterozygous variant (c. 865A>G; p.Ile289Val) in CACNA1S was identified in all the patients, but not in an unaffected family member and control. Immunohistochemical study showed high expression of Cacna1s in the secondary enamel knot.

This CACNA1S variant seemed to cause impaired dental epithelial folding; too much folding in the molars and less folding in the premolars; and delayed folding (invagination) of HERS, which resulted in single-rooted molars or taurodontism. Our observation suggests that the mutation in CACNA1S might disrupt calcium influx, resulting in impaired dental epithelium folding, and subsequent abnormal crown and root morphology.