Production of a monoclonal antibody against human amelogenin.

The extracellular organic matrix of developing human enamel is composed of two major classes of proteins, the hydrophobic amelogenins and the acidic enamelins. In order to identify, purify, and characterize the amelogenins from this complex mixture of proteins, and to study their ultrastructural localization and their pathways of synthesis, secretion, and degradation, specific and sensitive probes are needed. In the present paper the production of a monoclonal antibody against human amelogenin employing an intrasplenic primary immunization protocol is described. The monoclonal antibody produced is IgM and recognizes major human amelogenin protein bands in Western immunoblot assays. It also recognizes amelogenin protein bands from other species, specifically bovine and porcine. Indirect immunohistochemical studies showed the monoclonal antibody to react specifically with the extracellular matrix of human developing enamel. It did not react with the underlying dentin layer.