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MMP-20 (enamelysin) is a recently discovered member of the MMP family. This enzyme is involved in the degradation of the various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during development, haemostasis and pathological conditions. MMP-20 expression has been found to be restricted to the enamel organ and due to its unique expression pattern, may primarily be involved in the turnover of these molecules during tooth development. The enamel matrix proteins amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin are expressed during the developmental time period, suggesting that MMP-20 may play a role in their hydrolysis (1). Recombinant human enamelysin is able to degrade amelogenin, the major protein component of the enamel matrix. On the basis of its degrading activity on amelogenin, and its highly restricted expression to dental tissues, we suggest that human enamelysin plays a central role in the process of tooth enamel formation (2). Enamelysin null mice do not process amelogenin properly, possesses an altered enamel matrix and rod pattern, has hypoplastic enamel that delaminates from the dentin, and has a deteriorating enamel organ morphology as development progresses (3).
