ATG7 is essential for secretion of iron from ameloblasts and normal growth of murine incisors during aging
Supawadee Sukseree,Uwe Yacine Schwarze,Reinhard Gruber,Florian Gruber,Maria Quiles Del Rey,Joseph D. Mancias,John D. Bartlett,Erwin Tschachler,Leopold Eckhart;Supawadee Sukseree;Uwe Yacine Schwarze;Reinhard Gruber;Florian Gruber;Maria Quiles Del Rey;Joseph D. Mancias;John D. Bartlett;Erwin Tschachler;Leopold Eckhart;
autophagy2020Vol. 16pp. 1851-1857
231
eckhart2020autophagyatg7
Abstract
The incisors of rodents comprise an iron-rich enamel and grow throughout adult life, making them unique models of iron metabolism and tissue homeostasis during aging. Here, we deleted Atg7 (autophagy related 7) in murine ameloblasts, i.e. the epithelial cells that produce enamel. The absence of ATG7 blocked the transport of iron from ameloblasts into the maturing enamel, leading to a white instead of yellow surface of maxillary incisors. In aging mice, lack of ATG7 was associated with the growth of ectopic incisors inside severely deformed primordial incisors. These results suggest that 2 characteristic features of rodent incisors, i.e. deposition of iron on the enamel surface and stable growth during aging, depend on autophagic activity in ameloblasts.