Changes in amino-acid composition of developing rat incisor enamel.

The amino-acid composition and total "protein" content of enamel particles dissected serially from the developing enamel of rat incisors have been determined. Changes in protein content and amino-acid composition occurred throughout all stages of development. The most obvious alterations occurred in the vicinity of a white opaque band. Here, protein was lost most rapidly and considerable changes in amino-acid composition occurred.