Role of matrix proteases in processing enamel proteins

This article reviews the current status of research on proteases of the ena mel layer that are capable of processing and degrading proteins of the enam el matrix. Following a brief survey of the historical development of this d iscipline, a summary is presented of the current status. Two proteases have recently been cloned: EMSP-1 (enamel matrix serine protease-1), a serine p rotease, and enamelysin, a metalloprotease. These two are placed into their appropriate families: the chymotrypsin family S1 of clan SA of the serine protease class and the matrixin family or matrix metalloproteinase family, M10 of clan MB (the metzincins) of the metalloprotease class. The major fea tures of these two families are outlined. The article concludes with some s uggested areas for future research-identifying further proteases and charac terizing those now known.