Amelotin: an enamel matrix protein that experienced distinct evolutionary histories in amphibians, sauropsids and mammals

摘要: Amelotin (AMTN) is an ameloblast-secreted protein that belongs to the secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) family, which originated in early vertebrates. In rodents, AMTN expressed during maturation stage of amelogenesis only. This expression pattern strongly differs from spatiotemporal other SCPPs, such as enamel matrix proteins (EMPs). Furthermore, was characterized rodents this study, we applied various approaches, including silico screening databases, PCRs and transcriptome sequencing characterize sequences sauropsids amphibians, compared them available mammalian coelacanth sequences. We showed (i) tooth (enamel) specific underwent pseudogenization toothless turtles birds, (ii) structure changed tetrapod evolution. To infer function, studied a salamander lizard, results with data mouse. found throughout non-mammalian tetrapods, contrast its limited rodents. Taken together our findings suggest primarily EMP. Its functions were conserved amphibians while change occurred lineage, modifying gene structure. These changes likely led partial loss function could have link emergence prismatic mammals.