D. Deutsch

Carbonate Content in Developing Human and Bovine Enamel

The present study describes the detailed changes in carbonate distribution throughout the different stages of development in human and bovine enamel, from early formation to maturation. Twenty-two human maxillary and mandibular deciduous anterior teeth and 46 bovine teeth were studied. The major mineral ions, calcium and phosphorus, were also analyzed to facilitate comparison of carbonate content with progressing mineralization. The results showed that as enamel matured and mineral concentration increased, carbonate concentration decreased. The observed decrease in percent carbonate per weight enamel mineral may be due to dilution by an influx of relatively carbonate-free mineral, and could, in part, explain the observed increase in crystallinity of enamel mineral as the tissue matures.

Neutral peptidase activities in matrix vesicles from bovine fetal alveolar bone and dog osteosarcoma

SummaryExtracellular matrix vesicles from bovine fetal alveolar bone and from a dog osteosarcoma were isolated by differential centrifugation and then fractionated on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient. The fractions were examined by electron microscopy and were analyzed for protein, alkaline phosphatase, aminotripeptidase, and four different β-naphthylamidase activities. The low-density peak of enzyme activities was shown by electron microscopy to be much more homogeneous than the crude matrix vesicle fraction. Two major peaks of protein and enzyme activities were present, one in the high and one in the low density layers. There was good correlation between the activities of alkaline phosphatase and the various peptidases in the fractions from the sucrose density gradient. These results indicate a coexistence of peptidase and alkaline phosphatase in matrix vesicles. On the other hand, there was generally no correlation between the peptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities in vesicular specimens from bovine liver obtained in the same way. Most of the peptidase activity and about half of the alkaline phosphatase activity were solubilized from bone matrix vesicles by detergents. The extracted alkaline phosphatase and alanyl β-naphthylamidase activities were separated from each other on a DEAE-cellulose column.

Racemization of aspartic acid in the extracellular matrix proteins of primary and secondary dentin

SummaryThe accumulation with age ofd-aspartic acid in primary and secondary human dentin was determined. In primary dentin, the plot of thed/l Asp ratio vs. age was found to fit first-order kinetics in accordance with the literature. But the secondary dentin behaved in an irregular manner and showed, in the great majority of cases, significantly increasedd/l Asp ratios. Possible reasons for these findings, such as differences in protein composition and/or in the prevailing temperature, are discussed.

Correlative morphometric and biochemical analysis of purified extracellular matrix vesicles from rat alveolar bone

SummaryExtracellular matrix vesicles were isolated from rat alveolar bone and purified by either gel filtration or discontinuous sucrose density gradient. Morphometric evaluation of electronmicrographs of pellets of purified and nonpurified vesicle fractions was correlated with the acitvity of vesicular enzymes. A high correlation was found between the percentage of area occupied by vesicles with electron-dense content (electron-dense vesicle fractional area) and the enzymatic activity. Highest enzymatic specific activities and electrondense vesicle fractional area were recorded in the “light” vesicle-enriched fraction obtained after equilibrium density centrifugation. These parameters revealed lowest values in the “heavy” vesicle-enriched fraction resolved by the same methods. The combined electron-dense and electron-lucent fractional area (vesicular fractional area) was similar in the different purified fractions. It is therefore suggested that the fraction obtained by gel filtration contains both “light” and “heavy” vesicles. Morphometric study is proposed as an additional criterion for the degree of purification of matrix vesicle preparations.

Thermal decomposition of developing enamel

SummaryThe decomposition of forming, maturing, and mature enamel was studied between room temperature and 1,000°C by powder X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption methods. In mature dental enamel, carbonate decomposition proceeds relatively fast until 500°C and at a slower rate beyond it. In forming and maturing enamel, decomposition is faster and is completed around 800°C. The formation of β-Ca3(PO4)2 is observed in dental enamel at 500°C. At 1,000°C, the apatite phase in forming and maturing enamel transforms almost completely to β-Ca3(PO4)2, whereas in mature enamel, even at 1,000°C, only partial decomposition occurs. Infrared results show the appearance in dental enamel of (1) A-type carbonate at room temperature and in the 500–900°C range, in addition to the commonly observed B-type carbonate, and (2) intermediate CO2 molecules during carbonate decomposition (200–500°C).

Amino Acid Sequence of a Major Human Amelogenin Protein Employing Edman Degradation and cDNA Sequencing

The abundant hydrophobic, proline-glutamine, and histidine-rich (over 90%) amelogenins constitute the major class of proteins in forming extracellular enamel matrix. These are thought to play a major role in the structural organization and mineralization of developing enamel. The present report describes the successful sequencing of the major human amelogenin protein, by use of both Edman degradation and cDNA sequencing. When Edman degradation was used, over 75% of the primary structure of the protein was determined. This sequence was supplemented with cDNA sequencing studies, which revealed the predicted sequence of this protein. Together, they provide the complete sequence of an important human enamel protein. The information complements recent studies on bovine and human amelogenin genes. A comparison between the present results and the protein sequences predicted from the corresponding human amelogenin genomic coding regions and that of cDNA sequences of other species is described.

Production of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Enamelin and Against Amelogenin Proteins of Developing Enamel Matrix

The extracellular matrix of developing enamel contains two major classes of proteins, the hydrophobic proline-rich amelogenins and the acidic serine-, glycine-, and aspartic-rich enamelins. These proteins have been postulated as playing a major role in the mineralization and structural organization of developing enamel. To identify and further characterize these different proteins and their possible role in this complex process of biological mineralization, we have in recent years been concerned with the production of specific probes for these proteins. Previously, we have reported on the successful production of specific polyclonal antibodies against enamelin proteins, which did not cross-react with amelogenins, and against amelogenin proteins, which did not cross-react with enamelins (Deutsch et al., 1986, 1987). We now report the production of monoclonal antibodies against a major bovine amelogenin protein (28 kDa) and against a major bovine enamelin protein (66 kDa). One monoclonal antibody against amelogenin and one against enamelin are described. The results showed that the monoclonal antibody against the amelogenin protein reacted strongly with the 28-kDa amelogenin protein band but did not cross-react with enamelins, and the one against the enamelin protein reacted with the 66-kDa enamelin protein but did not cross-react with amelogenins. These monoclonal antibodies provide a specific and powerful tool to distinguish between and further characterize these different classes of proteins, and to improve our understanding of the process of enamel formation.

Occurrence of actin-like protein in extracellular matrix vesicles

SummaryPreliminary indications of the occurrence of actin and myosin in crude matrix vesicle preparations have been reported previously. In the present study extracellular matrix vesicles from rat alveolar bone were isolated. They were further purified by a sucrose density gradient. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified vesicles revealed the presence of a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 43 K daltons and with electrophoretic mobility identical to that of blood platelet actin. The limited proteolysis of both 43 K dalton vesicular polypeptide and actin byStaphylococcus aureus-V8-protease revealed three fragments with identical electrophoretic mobility. In addition, the vesicular preparations inhibited the activity of DNase I, a property typical of actin monomers. Filamentous material extracted from matrix vesicles showed ultrastructural features of F-actin. Reaction of this material with heavy meromyosin resulted in arrowhead formation, which is characteristic of acto-heavy meromyosin. The occurrence of actin in extracellular matrix vesicles may account for their budding from the osteoblastic plasma membrane, their possible motility in the matrix, and maintenance of the spherical shape.

Production of a monoclonal antibody against human amelogenin

The extracellular organic matrix of developing human enamel is composed of two major classes of proteins, the hydrophobic amelogenins and the acidic enamelins. In order to identify, purify, and characterize the amelogenins from this complex mixture of proteins, and to study their ultrastructural localization and their pathways of synthesis, secretion, and degradation, specific and sensitive probes are needed. In the present paper the production of a monoclonal antibody against human amelogenin employing an intrasplenic primary immunization protocol is described. The monoclonal antibody produced is IgM and recognizes major human amelogenin protein bands in Western immunoblot assays. It also recognizes amelogenin protein bands from other species, specifically bovine and porcine. Indirect immunohistochemical studies showed the monoclonal antibody to react specifically with the extracellular matrix of human developing enamel. It did not react with the underlying dentin layer.

Biochemical characterization of matrix vesicles from bone and cartilage

Extracellular matrix vesicles from bone and epiphyseal cartilage of femur and tibia of rats were isolated by collagenase digestion (crude vesicles) and further purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Fractions containing cells and membranes were also isolated from the two tissues. The alkaline and acid phosphatase and ATPase activities, as well as protein content of all fractions including crude and purified matrix vesicles, were assayed. The crude vesicles from both tissues demonstrated a high alkaline phosphatase specific activity (5-20 times higher than in the cell fraction). The total enzyme activities and protein content were significantly higher in all fractions from cartilage than those from bone. A major peak of alkaline phosphatase activity and protein content was obtained following the sucrose gradient centrifugation. The position of this peak was similar for both tissues. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase of purified matrix vesicles was significantly higher in bone than in cartilage. The phosphatase activities from cartilage and bone showed a similar pH dependence and a similar response to metal ions. Of the metal ions tested (Na+, Mg2+, Zn2+, and Ca2+) only Zn2+ (at 5 mM concentration) inhibited significantly the alkaline phosphatase activity of purified matrix vesicles. The electrophoretic profile of purified matrix vesicles showed eight major protein bands common for both tissues. In addition, cartilage vesicles appeared to possess two peptides not found in bone.