Reduced Protein Expression of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺+K⁺-Exchanger (SLC24A4) in Apical Plasma Membranes of Maturation Ameloblasts of Fluorotic Mice.

ABSTRACT: Exposure of forming enamel to fluoride results into formation of hypomineralized enamel. We tested whether enamel hypomineralization was caused by lower expression of the NCKX4/SLC24A4 Ca²⁺-transporter by ameloblasts. Three commercial antibodies against NCKX4 were tested on enamel organs of wild-type and Nckx4-null mice, one of which (a mouse monoclonal) was specific. This antibody gave a prominent staining of the apical plasma membranes of maturation ameloblasts, starting at early maturation. The layer of immuno-positive ameloblasts contained narrow gaps without immunostaining or with reduced staining. In fluorotic mouse incisors, the quantity of NCKX4 protein in ameloblasts as assessed by western blotting was not different from that in non-fluorotic ameloblasts. However, immun

SUBMITTER: Bronckers AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5215084 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature