Ameloblastin Function in Teeth and other Tissues

The ameloblastin molecule is well-known for its role in tooth enamel biomineralization. Over the past 20 years there have been several reports about ameloblastin function outside of enamel tissues. These findings have attracted several dedicated students to my lab interested in studying ameloblastin function in the skull, in the periodontal ligament, and in long bones. One of these students, Dr. Phimon Atsawasuwan, is now a tenured Associate Professor at UIC.  Our papers have been published in a number of distinguished journals, including the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research and Matrix Biology. Our work has also been funded by two NIH grants.

Peer-reviewed Publications

Lu, X., Fukumoto, S., Yamada, Y., Evans, C.A., Diekwisch, T.G.H., and Luan, X. (2016). The Ameloblastin extracellular matrix molecule enhances bone fracture resistance and promotes rapid bone fracture healing. Matrix Biol. 52-54: 113-126.

Lu, X., Fukumoto, S., Yamada, Y., Evans, C.A., Diekwisch, T.G.H., and Luan, X. (2016). Ameloblastin, an extracellular matrix protein, affects long bone growth and mineralization. J Bone Miner Res. 31(6): 1235-1246.

Atsawasuwan P., Lu X, Ito, Y., Evans C.A., and Luan X. (2013). Ameloblastin inhibits cranial suture closure by modulating MSX2 expression and proliferation. PLoS ONE 8(4): e52800. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052800

Lu X., Ito, Y., Atsawasuwan P., Dangaria S., Evans C.A., and Luan, X. (2013). Ameloblastin modulates osteoclastogenesis through the integrin/ERK pathway. BONE 54(1): 157-168.

Atsawasuwan, P., Lu, X., Ito, Y., Gopinathan, G., Chen, Y., Evans, C.A., Kulkarni, A.B., Gibson, C.W., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2013). Enamel-related gene products in calvarial development. J. Dent. Res. 92(7): 622-628.

Zhang, Y., Zhang X., Lu X., Atsawasuwan, P., and Luan, X. (2011). Ameloblastin regulates cell attachment and proliferation through RhoA and p27. Eur. J. Oral Sci. 119 Suppl 1: 280-285.

Lu, X., Ito, Y, Kulkarni, A., Gibson, C., Luan, X., and Diekwisch, T.G.H. (2011).  Ameloblastin-rich enamel matrix favors short and randomly oriented apatite crystals. Eur. J Oral Sci. 119 Suppl 1: 254-260.

Zhang, X., Diekwisch, T.G.H., and Luan, X. (2011). Structure and function of ameloblastin as an extracellular matrix protein:  Adhesion, calcium binding, and CD63-interaction in human and mouse. Eur. J Oral Sci. 119 Suppl 1: 270-279.