A gene involved in gingival overgrowth has been found by scientists supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
In an article in the April issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, scientists report that they have identified the first gene that, when altered, triggers hereditary gingival fibromatosis, or HFG, a rare, inherited gingival condition.
The SOS1 gene encodes a protein that is known to activate the "ras" pathway, one of the key growth signals in human cells. The study’s authors say this finding suggests that when the SOS1 gene is not mutated, its protein and the ras pathway probably are involved in the normal growth of healthy gingiva, an idea that previously was unknown.
If this finding is confirmed, learning how to turn on relevant portions of the pathway, like flipping a biological switch, one day might help dentists regenerate gingivae in people who have receding gingivae or advanced periodontal disease. By switching off the growth signal, dentists could prevent gingival overgrowth; people who have HGF might not need to have the excess issue surgically removed.
"By identifying a gene involved in HGF, it was possible to uncover a key clue to normal gingival development, a clue that could have important implications for dentistry," said Dr. Thomas C. Hart, lead author of the study.
