Introduction:

Tooth enamel formation includes morphological changes in ameloblasts. These modifications involve the active participation of cellular organelles, including lysosomes.

Objective:

To identify the lysosomal membrane protein distribution in ameloblasts.

Materials and method:

The lysosomal membrane protein type 1 (Lamp 1) was identified in continuous growth incisor from mice (7, 14 days old) and epithelial rat's cells using the immunohistochemistry technic.

Results:

A cytoplasmic Lamp 1 marker was identified in ameloblast cells during all the stages of the process, no matter the age. Lamp 1 was detected, too, in the epithelial dental cells.

Conclusion:

It is evident the expression of Lamp 1 in ameloblasts of continuous growth incisor and epithelial dental rat's cells. Next studies must be done about the functional role of Lamp 1 in tooth enamel formation.

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