Co-Immunoprecipitation Reveals Interactions Between Amelogenin and Ameloblastin via Their Self-Assembly Domains

Physicochemical understanding of biomineralization by molecular vibrational spectroscopy: From mechanism to nature

The process and mechanism of biomineralization and relevant physicochemical properties of mineral crystals are remarkably sophisticated multidisciplinary fields that include biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. The components of the organic matter, structural construction of minerals, and related mechanical interaction, etc., could help to reveal the unique nature of the special mineralization process. Herein, the paper provides an overview of the biomineralization process from the perspective of molecular vibrational spectroscopy, including the physicochemical properties of biomineralized tissues, from physiological to applied mineralization. These physicochemical characteristics closely to the hierarchical mineralization process include biological crystal defects, chemical bonding, atomic doping, structural changes, and content changes in organic matter, along with the interface between biocrystals and organic matter as well as the specific mechanical effects for hardness and toughness. Based on those observations, the special physiological properties of mineralization for enamel and bone, as well as the possible mechanism of pathological mineralization and calcification such as atherosclerosis, tumor micro mineralization, and urolithiasis are also reviewed and discussed. Indeed, the clearly defined physicochemical properties of mineral crystals could pave the way for studies on the mechanisms and applications.

Regulation of Hydroxyapatite Nucleation In Vitro through Ameloblastin-Amelogenin Interactions

Amelogenin (Amel) and ameloblastin (Ambn) are two primary extracellular enamel matrix proteins that play crucial roles for proper thickness, prismatic structure, and robust mechanical properties. Previous studies have shown that Amel and Ambn bind to each other, but the effect of their coassembly on the nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) is unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the coassembly of recombinant mouse Amel and Ambn in various ratios using in situ atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The size of protein particles decreased as the Ambn:Amel ratio increased. To define the coassembly domain on Ambn, we used Ambn-derived peptides and Ambn variants to examine their effects on the amelogenin particle size distribution. We found that the peptide sequence encoded by exon 5 of Ambn affected Amel self-assembly but the variant lacking this sequence did not have any effect on Amel self-assembly. Furthermore, through monitoring the pH change in bulk mineralization solution, we tracked the nucleation behavior of HAP in the presence of Ambn and Amel and found that their coassemblies at different ratios showed varying abilities to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate. These results demonstrated that Ambn and Amel coassemble with each other via a motif within the sequence encoded by exon 5 of Ambn and cooperate in regulating the nucleation of HAP crystals, enhancing our understanding of the important role of enamel matrix proteins in amelogenesis.

The Dynamic Interactions of a Multitargeting Domain in Ameloblastin Protein with Amelogenin and Membrane

The enamel matrix protein Ameloblastin (Ambn) has critical physiological functions, including regulation of mineral formation, cell differentiation, and cell-matrix adhesion. We investigated localized structural changes in Ambn during its interactions with its targets. We performed biophysical assays and used liposomes as a cell membrane model. The xAB2N and AB2 peptides were rationally designed to encompass regions of Ambn that contained self-assembly and helix-containing membrane-binding motifs. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) on spin-labeled peptides showed localized structural gains in the presence of liposomes, amelogenin (Amel), and Ambn. Vesicle clearance and leakage assays indicated that peptide-membrane interactions were independent from peptide self-association. Tryptophan fluorescence and EPR showed competition between Ambn-Amel and Ambn-membrane interactions. We demonstrate localized structural changes in Ambn upon interaction with different targets via a multitargeting domain, spanning residues 57 to 90 of mouse Ambn. Structural changes of Ambn following its interaction with different targets have relevant implications for the multifunctionality of Ambn in enamel formation.

Modeling ameloblast-matrix interactions using 3D cell culture

The distinct morphology adopted by ameloblasts during amelogenesis is highly stage specific and involved intimately with the development of a hierarchical enamel microstructure. The molecular mechanisms that govern the development of an elongated and polarized secretory ameloblast morphology and the potential roles played by the enamel matrix proteins in this process are not fully understood. Thus far, the in vitro models that have been developed to mimic these early cell-matrix interactions have either been unable to demonstrate direct morphological change or have failed to adapt across ameloblast cell lines. Here, we use a recently established 3D cell culture model to examine the interactions between HAT-7 cells and the major enamel matrix proteins, amelogenin and ameloblastin. We demonstrate that HAT-7 cells selectively respond to functional EMPs in culture by forming clusters of tall cells. Aspect ratio measurements from three-dimensional reconstructions reveal that cell elongation is 5-times greater in the presence of EMPs when compared with controls. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observe that these clusters are polarized with asymmetrical distributions of Par-3 and claudin-1 proteins. The behavior of HAT-7 cells in 3D culture with EMPs is comparable with that of ALC and LS-8 cells. The fact that the 3D model presented here is tunable with respect to gel substrate composition and ameloblast cell type highlights the overall usefulness of this model in studying ameloblast cell morphology in vitro.

Data from ameloblast cell lines cultured in 3D using various gel substrates in the presence of ameloblastin

This article contains data related to the research article in this issue titled ameloblastin promotes polarization of ameloblast cell lines in a 3D cell culture system (Visakan et al., 2022). In the process of amelogenesis, the organic matrix components are pivotal to the establishment of ameloblast-matrix adhesion. Here we employ immortalized ameloblast cell lines and analyse their morphological changes in 3D cell culture when cultured in the presence of recombinant enamel matrix proteins- ameloblastin and amelogenin compared with controls. The recombinant proteins that were purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were characterized using SDS-gel electrophoresis. A 3D-on-top culture technique was employed, and the cells were analysed 24 and 72 h post inoculation using fluorescent and confocal microscopy for qualitative and quantitative changes. Aspect ratio of cells was measured and used as the parameter to compare between test proteins and controls. Repeated measurements of aspect ratio were recorded to analyse for statistical significance. Additionally, three distinct gel substrates were studied to examine the effect of composition and stiffness of the substrate on cell behaviour. The cells in the 3D culture were fixed and labelled using antibodies to junctional complex, polarity and tight junctional proteins following protocols for whole culture fixation. Co-localization between membrane and specific antibody labels were examined under confocal microscopy.

Ameloblastin promotes polarization of ameloblast cell lines in a 3-D cell culture system

Studies on animal models with mutations in ameloblastin gene have suggested that the extracellular matrix protein ameloblastin (AMBN) plays important roles in controlling cell-matrix adhesion and ameloblast polarization during amelogenesis. In order to examine the function of AMBN in cell polarization and morphology, we developed an in vitro 3D cell culture model to examine the effect of AMBN and amelogenin (AMEL) addition on ameloblast cell lines. We further used high resolution confocal microscopy to detect expression of polarization markers in response to AMBN addition. Addition of AMBN to the 3D culture matrix resulted in the clustering and elongation (higher aspect ratio) of ALC in a dose dependent manner. The molar concentration of AMEL required to exact this response from ALC was 2.75- times greater than that of AMBN. This polarization effect of ameloblastin was attributable directly to an evolutionary conserved domain within its exon 5-encoded region. The lack of exon 6-encoded region also influenced AMBN-cell interactions but to a lesser extent. The clusters formed with AMBN were polarized with expression of E-cadherin, Par3 and Cldn1 assembly at the nascent cell-cell junctions. The elongation effect was specific to epithelial cells of ameloblastic lineage ALC and LS8 cells. Our data suggest that AMBN may play critical signaling roles in the initiation of cell polarity by acting as a communicator between cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Our investigation has important implications for understanding the function of ameloblastin in enamel-cell matrix adhesion and the outcomes may contribute to efforts to develop strategies for enamel tissue regeneration.

Extracellular Matrix in Human Craniofacial Development

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly dynamic amalgamation of structural and signaling molecules whose quantitative and qualitative modifications drive the distinct programmed morphologic changes required for tissues to mature into their functional forms. The craniofacial complex houses a diverse array of tissues, including sensory organs, glands, and components of the musculoskeletal, neural, and vascular systems, alongside several other highly specialized tissues to form the most complex part of the vertebrate body. Through cell-ECM interactions, the ECM coordinates the cell movements, shape changes, differentiation, gene expression changes, and other behaviors that sculpt developing organs. In this review, we focus on several common key roles of the ECM to shape developing craniofacial organs and tissues. We summarize recent advances in our understanding of the ability of the ECM to biochemically and biomechanically orchestrate major events of craniofacial development, and we discuss how dysregulated ECM dynamics contributes to disease and disorders. As we expand our understanding of organ-specific matrix functionality and composition, we will improve our ability to rationally modify matrices to promote regeneration and/or prevent degenerative outcomes in vitro and in vivo.

Biomineralization of Enamel and Dentin Mediated by Matrix Proteins

Biomineralization of enamel, dentin, and bone involves the deposition of apatite mineral crystals within an organic matrix. Bone and teeth are classic examples of biomaterials with unique biomechanical properties that are crucial to their function. The collagen-based apatite mineralization and the important function of noncollagenous proteins are similar in dentin and bone; however, enamel is formed in a unique amelogenin-containing protein matrix. While the structure and organic composition of enamel are different from those of dentin and bone, the principal molecular mechanisms of protein-protein interactions, protein self-assembly, and control of crystallization events by the organic matrix are common among these apatite-containing tissues. This review briefly summarizes enamel and dentin matrix components and their interactions with other extracellular matrix components and calcium ions in mediating the mineralization process. We highlight the crystallization events that are controlled by the protein matrix and their interactions in the extracellular matrix during enamel and dentin biomineralization. Strategies for peptide-inspired biomimetic growth of tooth enamel and bioinspired mineralization of collagen to stimulate repair of demineralized dentin and bone tissue engineering are also addressed.