May 22, 2009 | Modern Hygienist
News

The genetics behind remineralization 

Researchers have identified the gene that ultimately controls the production of tooth enamel, a significant advance that could some day lead to the repair of damaged enamel, a new concept in cavity prevention, and restoration or even the production of replacement teeth. The gene, called Ctip2, is a “transcription factor” that was already known to have several functions – in immune response, and the development of skin and the nervous system. Scientists can now add tooth development to that list.

Recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, the study was a collaboration of scientists from the OSU College of Pharmacy, College of Science and College of Engineering, and the Institut de Genetique et de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire in France, with support from the National Institutes of Health and the OSU College of Pharmacy.

“It’s not unusual for a gene to have multiple functions, but before this we didn’t know what regulated the production of tooth enamel,” said Chrissa Kioussi, an assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. “This is the first transcription factor ever found to control the formation and maturation of ameloblasts, which are the cells that secrete enamel.”

With an understanding of its genetic underpinning, Kioussi said, it may be possible to use tooth stem cells to stimulate the growth of new enamel. Some research groups are already having success growing the inner portions of teeth in laboratory animal experiments, but those teeth have no hard coatings – the scientists lacked the genetic material that makes enamel.

“A lot of work would still be needed to bring this to human applications, but it should work,” Kioussi said. “It could be really cool, a whole new approach to dental health.”