The purpose of this study was to identify the periodontal regeneration
factors in enamel protein shown to induce cementum- and osteo-promotive
activities in vivo. The cementum regeneration (CR), a part of periodontal
regeneration, was examined by using experimental cavities prepared in a
buccal dehiscence dog model. The CR activity was found in the aggregate
consisted of sheath proteins along with a small amount of amelogenins
separated from newly formed secretory enamel. The sheath proteins were
purified to be homogeneous, and examined for the alkaline phosphatase
(ALP) inducing activity of human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells.
Application of 17 kDa sheath protein induced ALP activity in HPDL cells.
Peptides synthesized from the sheath protein sequence also showed ALP
inducing activity. The 17 kDa sheath protein has cell differentiation
activity.