Ameloblastin

Ameloblastin
Identifiers
Symbol AMBN
Entrez 258
HUGO 452
RefSeq NM_016519
Other data
Locus Chr. 4 q21

Ameloblastin, also known as amelin, is a gene-specific protein found in tooth enamel. Although less than 5% of enamel consists of protein, ameloblastins comprise 5%-10% of all enamel protein. This protein is formed by ameloblasts during the early secretory to late maturation stages of amelogenesis. Although not completely understood, the function of ameloblastins is believed to be in controlling the elongation of enamel crystals and generally directing enamel mineralization during tooth development.

Other significant proteins in enamel are amelogenins, enamelins, and tuftelins.