The biosynthesis of dentine gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing proteins by rat incisor odontoblasts in organ culture.

Rat odontoblasts were shown to synthesize and secrete gamma-carboxyglutamic acid(Gla)-containing proteins into dentine after organ culture in the presence of radiolabelled amino acid precursors. Purified dentine Gla-containing protein from rat incisors was used as antigen to prepare rabbit antisera as a probe of dentine Gla-containing-protein biosynthesis in organ cultures of dentine (rat incisor) and bone (rat calvaria). Use of the antiserum also pointed out the cross-reactivity of a high-M, glycoprotein present within the dentine matrix. The present results are significant in identifying dentine gla-containing protein as endogenous to mineralizing dentine and may relate to the commonality between calcifying connective tissues in general.