Proteins of the mineral compartment of bovine fetal enamel share common antigenic determinants with serum proteins.

Two fractions were separated from the proteins of the mineral compartment of bovine developing enamel on the basis of their affinity for the lectin concanavalin-A. A monoclonal antibody was prepared by the hybridoma technique against the Con-A-binding fraction. This antibody and a commercial polyclonal antibody against bovine serum albumin were used to examine the relationship between those proteins, serum albumin and alpha-2HS glycoprotein, two proteins concentrated within dentin and bone matrices. The Con-A-unbound fraction reacted with the anti-albumin antibody and the antibody against the Con-A-binding fraction recognized the alpha-2HS glycoprotein. These data fully support the presence of significant levels of proteins related to serum components in the mineral compartment of developing enamel matrix.