Grant: Operating Grant

Dental enamel is critically important for tooth function, but is compromised by prevalent diseases such as caries. In addition, dental erosion through consumption of acidic soft drinks has become a serious problem in the dental health care field. Enamel, formed in a protein-mediated biomineralization process, cannot be regenerated by a natural mechanism. We have previously identified a novel enamel protein, Amelotin (AMTN), and have found evidence for its role in the formation of the protective, densely mineralized enamel surface layer. In this proposal we try to understand the mechanisms that switch on the expression of AMTN during the formation of the enamel surface, and to find out what the details behind the biological function of AMTN are. This research is geared toward understanding the molecular mechanism of enamel development, particularly at the surface. We expect to apply new findings from this research to develop strategies to prevent enamel demineralization and to regenerate enamel lesions.