Protein Characterization of Fluorosed Human Enamel

Abstract

Despite extensive investigation, the developmental mechanism or mechanisms resulting in dental fluorosis are unknown. Several hypotheses suggest abnormal matrix synthesis, secretion, and delayed and/or defective matrix degradation with retention of enamel protein. The purpose of this study was to characterize the protein composition of fluorosed human enamel. Nine permanent moderately fluorosed (developed in a 3.2 ppm H2O area) and ten permanent normal control teeth (from individuals with < 0.2 ppm F in their drinking water) were evaluated. The enamel fluoride concentration, protein content, and amino acid composition were determined for each tooth. The enamel proteins were further characterized by gel electrophoresis and by Western blot analysis by means of polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant amelogenin protein. Fluorotic enamel had significantly elevated (p = 0.0001) F levels compared with normal enamel (mean [F-] fluorosed = 431 ppm; mean [F-] control = 62 ppm). While there was a significantly greater protein content by weight in fluorosed enamel compared with normal enamel (mean fluorosed = 0.27%; mean control = 0.11%), the amino acid profiles were similar for fluorosed and normal enamel. Gel electrophoresis showed fluorosed enamel to have a greater diversity of primarily low-molecular-weight proteins compared with normal enamel. Western blot analysis did not indicate retention of amelogenin in either fluorosed or normal enamel. This investigation showed that the protein content of fluorosed enamel was greater than that of normal enamel; however, the amino acid compositions were similar for fluorosed and normal enamel. Furthermore, there does not appear to be retention of significant amounts of amelogenin in fully mature, moderately fluorosed human enamel. Although delayed removal of the enamel matrix proteins may play a role in the hypomineralization defects seen in fluorosed enamel, the majority of these proteins are absent in the mature tissue of these moderately fluorosed teeth.