The extracellular matrix (ECM) not only provides physical support for tissues, 
but it is also critical for tissue development, homeostasis and disease. Over 
300 ECM molecules have been defined as comprising the "core matrisome" in 
mammals through the analysis of whole genome sequences. During tooth 
development, the structure and functions of the ECM dynamically change. In the 
early stages, basement membranes (BMs) separate two cell layers of the dental 
epithelium and the mesenchyme. Later in the differentiation stages, the BM layer 
is replaced with the enamel matrix and the dentin matrix, which are secreted by 
ameloblasts and odontoblasts, respectively. The enamel matrix genes and the 
dentin matrix genes are each clustered in two closed regions located on human 
chromosome 4 (mouse chromosome 5), except for the gene coded for amelogenin, the 
major enamel matrix protein, which is located on the sex chromosomes. These 
genes for enamel and dentin matrix proteins are derived from a common ancestral 
gene, but as a result of evolution, they diverged in terms of their specific 
functions. These matrix proteins play important roles in cell adhesion, 
polarity, and differentiation and mineralization of enamel and dentin matrices. 
Mutations of these genes cause diseases such as odontogenesis imperfect (OI) and 
amelogenesis imperfect (AI). In this review, we discuss the recently defined 
terms matrisome and matrixome for ECMs, as well as focus on genes and functions 
of enamel and dentin matrix proteins.