Purpose: To investigate gene expression of amelogenin (Am) in human gingival epithelial cells(HGEC) and also other oral ectomesenchyme cells (human gingival fibroblasts, human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and human pulp cells).
Methods: The amelogenin mRNA expression patterns were determined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),and the protein expression was studied with Western blotting.
Results: There was no amelogenin expression detected in any of the cells.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that amelogenin expression could not be detected in cultured human periodontium-related cells. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30672315) and Research Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(Grant No.08DZ2271100).