title: Analysis of tooth development in mice bearing a TGF-beta 1 null mutation.
abstract: While transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and its related mammalian isoforms TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 are coexpressed in developing tooth organs, the specific biological role of each isoform is unknown. To delineate the role of TGF-beta 1 in odontogenesis, we have studied tissues from mice that lack a functional TGF-beta 1 gene. Histologic analyses revealed that in TGF-beta 1 (-/-) mice, tooth morphogenesis, cytodifferentiation and histogenesis were unaffected. Using in situ hybridization we studied the patterns of distribution of TGFs-beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 in the TGF-beta 1 (+/+, +/- and -/-) genotypes. Our results indicate no detectable TGF-beta 1 mRNA in null tissues while TGFs-beta 2 and beta 3 showed normal temporal-spatial patterns of distribution. Using antibodies against TGF-beta 1, we observed immunoreactive TGF-beta 1 in tissues from null mice suggesting that maternally-derived TGF-beta 1 may be involved in the rescue of several developmental events in TGF-beta 1 knockout mice.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Dental Branch 77030, USA.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Litz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D003771:Dental Papilla / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004658:Enamel Organ / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta