Common SNPs of AmelogeninX (AMELX) and dental caries susceptibility

J Dent Res. 2013 May;92(5):418-24. doi: 10.1177/0022034513482941. Epub 2013 Mar 22.

Abstract

Genetic approaches have shown that several genes could modify caries susceptibility; AmelogeninX (AMELX) has been repeatedly designated. Here, we hypothesized that AMELX mutations resulting in discrete changes of enamel microstructure may be found in children with a severe caries phenotype. In parallel, possible AMELX mutations that could explain resistance to caries may be found in caries-free patients. In this study, coding exons of AMELX and exon-intron boundaries were sequenced in 399 individuals with extensive caries (250) or caries-free (149) individuals from nine French hospital groups. No mutation responsible for a direct change of amelogenin function was identified. Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found, 3 presenting a high allele frequency, and 1 being detected for the first time. Three SNPs were located in coding regions, 2 of them being non-synonymous. Both evolutionary and statistical analyses showed that none of these SNPs was associated with caries susceptibility, suggesting that AMELX is not a gene candidate in our studied population.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amelogenin / genetics*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DMF Index
  • Dental Caries / genetics*
  • Dental Caries Susceptibility / genetics*
  • Dental Plaque Index
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • AMELX protein, human
  • Amelogenin