SNPs in Tooth Mineral Tissues Genes Linked to Dental Caries Trajectory

Brazil: Genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in tooth mineral tissues genes could be developed as screening tools for dental caries, according to a study published in the Journal of Dentistry. 

Researchers from the Federal University of Pelotas and the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, aimed to investigate whether SNPs present in the genes of tooth mineral tissues influence dental caries trajectory across the life course, and if there is an epistatic (gene-gene) interaction between these SNPs. Their findings were published under the title “Impact of tooth mineral tissues genes on dental caries: A birth-cohort study.”

Genetic Contribution in Development of Caries Lesions

Dental caries, the localized destruction of dental hard tissues by acidic products from bacterial fermentation of free sugars, affects an individual’s quality of life and can lead to tooth loss. The main determinants of dental caries are biological, behavioral, and environmental factors, and studies have shown potential genetic contributions to the development and progression of caries lesions.

The study found that variations in tooth mineral tissues genes could cause alterations in tissue constitution, potentially influencing the dental caries experience. Tooth mineral tissues genes are groups of genes involved in the processes of formation or mineralization of enamel, dentine, or cement. 

Variations in these genes could cause alterations in tissue constitution, influencing the dental caries experience. For example, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes play an important role in dentine and enamel formation, and MMP2 protein is expressed by ameloblasts and odontoblasts and was found to be overexpressed in decayed dentine compared to sound dentine.

Suggestive Association Between TFIP11 and Dental Caries

A systematic review found a potential influence of TFIP11, AMBN, and AMELX on dental caries, and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) found a suggestive association between a locus present in a gene related to tooth mineral tissues (TFIP11) and dental caries in US children.

The study used a representative sample of all 5,914 births from the 1982 Pelotas birth cohort study. Dental caries trajectory across the life course was assessed at 15, 24, and 31 years old. The researchers found that the SNPs in tooth mineral tissues genes were associated with dental caries trajectory, and that epistatic interaction could change individual caries trajectory. This study suggests that SNPs in tooth mineral tissues genes may be developed as screening tools for dental caries in the future. 

Further studies with a life course approach could increase the current understanding of the SNPs present in the pathway of tooth mineral tissues genes on dental caries experience.

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