Diekwisch T G
Texas A & M University System, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, USA.
Connect Tissue Res. 1998;38(1-4):101-11; discussion 139-45. doi: 10.3109/03008209809017026.
Three quarters of the micro-environment of early secretory stage enamel consist of protein and water. The physical arrangement of this enamel matrix is closely related to enamel crystal growth and habit. In the present study, structural components of developing enamel were analyzed using atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, immuno-ultracryotomy, and electron diffraction. Atomic force images revealed spherical subunits measuring between 108 nm and 124 nm in diameter. Transmission electron micrographs indicated that developing crystals were surrounded by an electron dense coat which may be rich in proteins. Transmission electron micrographs and electron diffraction studies supported a concept in which initial enamel crystals consist of amorphous calcium phosphate and later fuse to hydroxyapatite. Cryo-immuno electron microscopy demonstrated homogeneous distribution of amelogenin epitopes within the entire enamel matrix. The current study suggests an intricate role of protein aggregation phenomena involved in initial enamel crystal growth and habit.
早期分泌期牙釉质的微环境中，四分之三由蛋白质和水组成。这种牙釉质基质的物理排列与牙釉质晶体的生长和习性密切相关。在本研究中，使用原子力显微镜、透射电子显微镜、免疫超薄切片术和电子衍射对发育中的牙釉质的结构成分进行了分析。原子力图像显示直径在108纳米至124纳米之间的球形亚基。透射电子显微镜照片表明，发育中的晶体被一层可能富含蛋白质的电子致密包膜所包围。透射电子显微镜照片和电子衍射研究支持了这样一种概念，即最初的牙釉质晶体由无定形磷酸钙组成，随后融合形成羟基磷灰石。冷冻免疫电子显微镜显示釉原蛋白表位在整个牙釉质基质中均匀分布。目前的研究表明，蛋白质聚集现象在牙釉质晶体的初始生长和习性中起着复杂的作用。
