Tuftelin mRNA is Expressed in a Human Ameloblastoma Tumor

Abstract

RT-PCR, Southern blotting and DNA sequencing have established for the first time that tuftelin mRNA is expressed in human ameloblastoma tumor. The expression of amelo-genin mRNA in ameloblastoma was also established, confirming earlier reports by Snead et al.[18] These results corroborate, on a molecular level, the enamel organ epithelial origin of ameloblastoma. In view of the present results, it is interesting that previous studies have indicated that although ameloblastoma, a non-mineralized odontogenic tumor, transcribes amelogenin mRNA, amelogenin (and enamelin) proteins are not expressed in this tissue.[18–19] However, in mineralizing odontogenic tumors, both these classes of proteins are expressed.[19]