Odaph是一种新近报道的釉质基质蛋白；在人类该基因突变导致牙釉质发育不全。本课题组前期研究表明Odaph主要在釉质成熟期表达，分布于牙釉质外层和基膜（成釉细胞远端与釉质层之间的一层胞外基质成分）。为了探讨Odaph在釉质发育中的生物学作用，本项目拟：（1）以课题组构建的Odaph基因敲除/LacZ基因敲入小鼠为研究模型，利用形态学、组织学和细胞生物学等研究手段分析Odaph基因敲除小鼠牙釉质和牙周组织的变化，明确Odaph基因缺失与牙釉质发育不全和牙周组织炎症发生的关系；（2）利用细胞生物学和分子生物学方法观察Odaph诱导磷灰石结晶和矿化结节的形成，明确体外Odaph在釉质生物矿化中的作用；（3）通过外源性Odaph在小鼠成熟期成釉细胞中过表达，明确体内Odaph诱导釉质生物矿化的作用。本项目研究拟进一步丰富牙釉质发育的理论体系，为临床上牙釉质的再生和牙周病的预防提供新思路。

Odaph is a newly reported enamel matrix protein. The gene mutation in human can lead to enamel dysplasia. In our previous study, Odaph was mainly expressed in enamel maturation stage, and distributed in the outer layer of enamel and the basement membrane（a layer of extracellular matrix between the distal end of ameloblasts and enamel). In order to investigate the biological roles of Odaph in enamel development, this project aims to: (1) taking the Odaph gene knockout /LacZ gene knockin mice constructed by our group as a study model, we will analyze the changes of enamel structure and periodontal tissues in Odaph gene knockout mice by means of morphology, histology, and cell biology to clarify the relationship between Odaph gene deletion and enamel hypoplasia and periodontitis in mice; (2) observing the formation of apatite crystal and mineralized nodules induced by Odaph with the methods of cell biology and molecular biology to determine the roles of Odaph in enamel biomineralization in vitro; (3) by exogenous Odaph overexpression in ameloblasts of mature enamel in mice to determine the role of Odaph in inducing enamel biomineralization in vivo. This project will further enrich the theoretical system of dental enamel development and provide new ideas for the regeneration of dental enamel and prevention of periodontitis.