title: Gene-environment interactions during tooth development.
abstract: The nature of the interaction between the environment and the genetic information of the organism has been examined vis-a-vis the local tissue environments in which the teeth are initiated. The directive role of the dental connective tissue, the papilla, and sac in initiating the tooth bud, controlling its shape, and maintaining its differentiation emphasize the importance of the mesenchymal connective tissue elements of tooth buds. The molecular character of this tissue interaction was described and the role of collagen as a mediator of developmental information was stressed. Finally these data from experimental studies suggest that the etiology of ectodermal dysplasia and inherited diseases involving the dentition may involve the function of the connective tissue of the dintition.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D003771:Dental Papilla / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004476:Ectodermal Dysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000196:embryology; D004658:Enamel Organ / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004777:Environment; D005796:Genes; D008334:Mandible / Q000196:embryology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000196:embryology; D009805:Odontogenesis; D012377:Rodentia; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000150:complications; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000196:embryology