Phosphoproteins of bovine dentin: evidence for polydispersity during tooth maturation

Abstract

The EDTA-extractable phosphoproteins of dentin from very young fetal calves consisted principally of a monodisperse species with an apparent MW of .apprx. 94,000 and a P content of 8.0% (wt/wt). In contrast, the soluble phosphoproteins extracted from mature adult animals under indentical conditions ranged in MW from 18,000-94,000 and contained less P. The data support the conclusion that the phosphoproteins of bovine dentin are degraded in vivo during mineralization and maturation of the tissue.