X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta has been proven in a number of families to be linked to or involve a variety of mutations in the X chromosome amelogenin gene. The purpose of this study was to characterize the enamel ultrastructure and enamel protein in a kindred affected by X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta. Exfoliated primary teeth were obtained from two related persons (one male, one female) who had X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta with marked hypoplasia. Normal enamel (age and sex matched) was used as the control for all analyses. The teeth were evaluated using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microradiography. The enamel of the heterozygous female was hypoplastic and rough with marked surface depressions. Enamel beneath these depressions was poorly organized and lacked a prismatic structure. The affected male had very thin enamel (approximately 40 microns) that also lacked an organized structure. Enamel protein from the teeth of the heterozygous female and the control was characterized using amino acid analysis. The protein content of the enamel of the female with amelogenesis imperfecta was 0.40% (N = 1) whereas the control enamel ranged from 0.17% to 0.45% (N = 4; mean = 0.34%). This study indicates that although the enamel in both the male and female with X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta displayed marked structural abnormalities the enamel protein was similar in quantity and amino acid composition for normal and X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (female) enamel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)