Dynamic expression of E-cadherin in ameloblasts and cementoblasts in mice.
During embryonic development, E-cadherin mediates intercellular adhesion in a variety of epithelia in a spatio-temporal pattern. We have analyzed the distribution of this cell adhesion molecule in the mouse during odontogenesis, at both mRNA and protein levels, in the mandibular first molars and incisors. E-cadherin was strongly expressed at the bell stage by the cells of the dental organ, and by the pre-secretory ameloblasts and the cells of stratum intermedium at the early mineralization stage. At the onset of enamel secretion, E-cadherin disappeared from the apical pool of the ameloblasts and was later absent from the post-secretory ameloblasts. E-cadherin was also found in Hertwig's root sheath and later in the cells producing acellular cementum. These findings indicate that E-cadherin may be involved in the polarization of the ameloblasts and in the early stages of cementogenesis.
Terling
C
C
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Nobel Institute, and Center for Oral Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Heymann
R
R
Rozell
B
B
Obrink
B
B
Wroblewski
J
J
D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016764:Cell Polarity; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger