| amelogenin |
This is the major protein in enamel that exhibits self-assembly presumably to aid in guiding and templating HA. |
| ameloblastin, amelin, or sheathelin |
Ameloblastin maintains the differentiation state of ameloblasts and inhibits proliferation. It may also play a role in cell adhesion, and ameloblastin-null mouse causes the enamel to detach and lose polarity. |
| enamelin |
Enamelin makes up 1% of the total protein in enamel and is the largest protein in the enamel matrix. Full-length enamelin is located at the mineralization front, while the proteolytic products are concentrated in the rod and interrod. |
| enamelysin or matrix metalloproteinase-20 (MMP-20) |
A proteinase that cleaves amelogenin to produce TRAP as well as a number of other proteolytic products. It is expressed in early stages of amelogenesis (secretory stage), and the MMP-20 null mouse gives rise to a disrupted rod pattern. |
| kallikrein-4 (KLK-4), enamel matrix serine protease 1 (EMSP-1), or serine protease 17 |
This is a serine protease that cleaves both amelogenins and nonamelogenins. It is specifically responsible for initial amelogenin cleave and is expressed in later stages of enamel formation. |
