Affiliation:
1. Bernhard-Heine-Center for Locomotion Research, Julius Maximilians
University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
2. Institut für Humangenetik, Julius Maximilians University
Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Abstract
AbstractThis brief review describes the role of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase
(TNAP) during dental development. Mutations within the ALPL gene, which is
encoding the human ectoenzyme TNAP, lead to the rare disease Hypophosphatasia
(HPP). Apart from the most prominent bone hypomineralization, the characteristic
symptoms of HPP often include a dental phenotype. To investigate the molecular
causes of distinct HPP symptoms in closer detail, a number of transgenic models
in different animals are established, like mice (Mus musculus) and
zebrafish (Danio rerio). We therefore also compare the processes of
dental development in humans, mice, and zebrafish.