Introduction

Amelogenin was initially discovered in developing enamel and is mainly synthesized and secreted by odontoblasts. It is a group of heterogeneous proteins with a unique and complex structure. Amelogenin can form multimers during tooth development, and these multimers jointly construct the enamel matrix protein (EMP). Amelogenin is EMP's main component and active ingredient, accounting for more than 90%. It not only plays a key regulatory role in the formation of enamel but also shows great potential in oral health and tissue regeneration.

Fig.1 Amelogenin processing and assembly changes in amelogenesis (Pandya M., et al. 2021).

Functions of Amelogenin

Promote Enamel Formation

Amelogenin plays a crucial role in the formation of enamel. As the main component of the EMP, amelogenin actively participates in the mineralization process of enamel, ensuring its normal formation and structural stability. It interacts with calcium phosphate minerals and guides the formation of enamel crystals into elongated, parallel and bundled structures, thus endowing enamel with extraordinary hardness and biomechanical elasticity, enabling it to effectively protect the pulp and dentin inside the tooth.

Enhance Pulp Cell Proliferation

Low molecular weight amelogenin has been proven to enhance the proliferation of dental pulp cells and maintain the health and vitality of dental pulp. As the "core" of teeth, the health status of dental pulp directly affects the normal function of teeth. Amelogenin provides strong support for the growth and repair of dental pulp cells, enabling them to better cope with external stimuli and damage.

Promote Tissue Regeneration

Amelogenin has great potential in tissue regeneration, especially in periodontal tissue regeneration. For patients with periodontitis, tissue regeneration is the key to restoring oral health. Amelogenin can induce the regeneration of periodontitis-related tissue defects and has the ability to directly or indirectly induce the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells to support periodontal tissue regeneration. EMP extract has also been proven to enhance periodontal tissue regeneration.

In addition, amelogenin also roles in bone formation and the regeneration of other types of cells. Low molecular weight amelogenin polypeptides are considered to have osteogenic potential in cell signaling pathways, meaning that it may have a positive impact on the bone formation process. Purified recombinant human amelogenin is used to study the potential mechanisms related to its normal physiological functions in normal, diseased, and regenerated hard and soft tissues. At the same time, amelogenin also has a positive impact on the proliferation, migration, and morphology of immortalized human oral keratinocytes, providing broader possibilities for tissue regeneration research in oral medicine.

Potential Biomarker for Tumor Diagnosis

Amelogenin is expected to become a potential biomarker in tumor diagnosis. Under normal circumstances, its gene is only expressed in specific tissues where teeth are formed. Therefore, studying the expression pattern of amelogenin in odontogenic tumors and lesions is of great significance for developmental biology and oral pathology. Immunohistochemical examination of odontogenic tumors shows that amelogenin can identify odontogenic epithelial components, revealing that it may be an indicator of epithelial cell differentiation in odontogenic tumors. In ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors, the expression intensity of amelogenin is different, indicating its potential for auxiliary diagnosis. In addition, amelogenin gene expression also exists in sites such as the dentin matrix, and it may be used for tumor diagnosis in the future.

Application of Amelogenin

In oral medicine, amelogenin is widely used. First of all, amelogenin can affect the expression of growth factors and inflammatory factors and act on cells related to periodontal tissue regeneration, thus achieving the clinical effect of periodontal tissue regeneration. Products based on amelogenin have been applied in periodontal tissue regeneration surgeries, effectively promoting the recovery of periodontal tissues. Secondly, amelogenin can also assist in the treatment of gingival recession. At present, research is exploring its use in dental repair materials to improve biocompatibility and promote the regeneration of dental tissues. In addition, amelogenin may also play a role in promoting tissue regeneration in fields such as orthopedics and plastic surgery in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, amelogenin plays a key role in the field of oral health and tissue regeneration. Its unique biological characteristics and extensive application potential provide new directions and opportunities for the research of oral medicine and tissue regeneration. With the in-depth research on amelogenin and the continuous progress of technology, we have every reason to believe that more functions and applications of amelogenin will be revealed in the future.