Comparative protein biochemistry of developing dental enamel matrix from five mammalian species.

The matrix proteins of the developing dental enamel of five mammalian species were isolated and subjected to chromatographic, electrophoretic, and amino acid analyses. It was found that the principal chromatographic fractions showed similarities of both size and amino acid composition among species. The major amelogenin protein of the cow, hamster, human, and sheep was of about 30,000 daltons and of the pig enamel matrix about 20,000 daltons. In each species a higher molecular weight fraction, greater than 40,000 daltons, was detected. In the lower molecular weight range an amelogenin polypeptide enriched in leucine, a fraction rich in tyrosine, and a fraction of intermediate size (Bovine matrix "Component-14") were identified in each case. It is suggested that these characteristic proteins arise during the degradation of the matrix which accompanied mineralization.