Ishiyama M, Inage T, Shimokawa H
Department of Histology, Nippon Dental University School of Dentistry, Niigata, Japan.
Arch Histol Cytol. 1999 May;62(2):191-7. doi: 10.1679/aohc.62.191.
Previous studies have demonstrated the morphological similarity of the enamel-like layer found in the teeth of the coelacanth, lungfish and gar-pike to the enamel of tetrapods. In order to clarify the phylogenetic continuity between both structures, tooth germs of the gar-pike were immunocytochemically studied using an anti-bovine amelogenin polyclonal antibody. Intense immunoreaction was shown over the enamel-like matrix layer. Certain cell organelles associated with the secretory pathway of the ameloblasts were recognized as immunoreactive. These results indicate that the enamel-like layer of the gar-pike is a tissue homologous with the mammalian enamel because both possess a common, amelogenin-like substance.
