Ameloblastin (AMBN)

Ameloblastin 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.

Immunohistochemical staining of rat incisors using a polyclonal antibody showed that ameloblastin is expressed during the differentiation of inner enamel epithelium into ameloblasts, with intense localization in the Tomes processes of secretory ameloblasts.