Scientists announced a new gene discovery that could one day lead to the development of laboratory-grown replacement teeth. It could also put an end to fillings and dentures. The US team from Oregon have identified the gene that governs the production of tooth enamel. Controlling the gene in conjunction with stem-cell technology could make the artificial creation of functional teeth a real possibility. Other scientists are already growing the inner parts of teeth in animals – but they have no hard enamel coatings. The gene, a “transcription factor” called Ctip2, was already known to have several functions involving immune responses and the development of skin and nerves. Transcription factors regulate the activity, or expression, of genes. “It's not unusual for a gene to have multiple functions, but before this we didn't know what regulated the production of tooth enamel,” said Dr. Chrissa Kioussi, from the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University in Corvallis, US. “ This is the first transcription factor ever found to control the formation and maturation of ameloblasts, which are the cells that secrete enamel.” The scientists studied Ctip2 in “knock out” laboratory mice missing the gene. The mice were born with rudimentary teeth ready to erupt, but lacking a proper covering of enamel. “Enamel is one of the hardest coatings found in nature,” said Dr Kioussi, who led the research. She added: “A lot of work would still be needed to bring this to human applications, but it should work. It could be really cool, a whole new approach to dental health.” The research was reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
