title: [Comparative study of expression of homeobox gene Msx-1, Msx-2 mRNA during the hard tissue formation of mouse tooth development].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe and compare the expression pattern of Msx-1, Msx-2 mRNA during the different stages of hard tissue formation in the first mandibular molar of mouse and investigate the relationship between the two genes.
  
  
  METHODS
  First mandibular molar germs from 1, 3, 7 and 14-days old mouse were separated and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed on the total RNA of them using Msx-1, Msx-2 specific primers separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of both genes were detected during the different stages of hard tissue formation in the mouse first mandibular molars, but there was some interesting differences in the quantitiy between the two genes. Msx-1 transcripts appeared at the 1 day postnatally, and increase through 3 day, 7 day, then maximally expressed at 14 days postnatally; while Msx-2 mRNA was seen and expressed maximally at the 3 days postnatally, then there was a gradual reduction at 7 days, and 14 days postnatally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The homeobox gene Msx-1, Msx-2 may play a role in the events of the hard tissue formation. The complementary expression pattern of them during the specific stage of hard tissue formation indicates that there may be some functional redundancy between them during the biomineralization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor; D051379:Mice; D008963:Molar / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor; C084119:MSX2 protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors