Ganoin and acrodin formation on scales and teeth in spotted gar: A vital role of enamelin in the unique process of enamel mineralization.

ABSTRACT: Gars and bichirs develop scales and teeth with ancient actinopterygian characteristics. Their scale surface and tooth collar are covered with enamel, also known as ganoin, whereas the tooth cap is equipped with an enamel-like tissue, acrodin. Here, we investigated the formation and mineralization of the ganoin and acrodin matrices in spotted gar, and the evolution of the scpp5, ameloblastin (ambn), and enamelin (enam) genes, which encode matrix proteins of ganoin. Results suggest that, in bichirs and gars, all these genes retain structural characteristics of their orthologs in stem actinopterygians, presumably reflecting the presence of ganoin on scales and teeth. During scale formation, Scpp5 and Enam were initially found in the incipient ganoin matrix and the underlying collagen matrix,

SUBMITTER: Kawasaki K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10239528 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature