[Enamelin transcriptional expression in developing postnatal rat tooth germ].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the transcriptional expression of enamelin in developing postnatal rat first mandibular molar germs, for further studies of functions of enamelin in enamel development and mineralization.


METHODS
Tissue slices of first mandibular molar germ of rat 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 days after birth were prepared. The enamelin mRNA expression was identified by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
Enamelin mRNA was observed in both ameloblast and odontoblast in 1-10 day old rat postnatal first mandibular molar germs. Enamelin mRNA appeared very weakly at 1st day, and increased through 3rd day, reached the maximum at 7th day, and reduced at 10th day and became negative at 14th day postnatally; while the expression of enamelin mRNA in odontoblast maintained lower from 1st to 10th day and negative at 14th day postnatally.


CONCLUSIONS
Enamelin gene transcriptional expression lasts from preameloblast to maturation ameloblast, which suggests that enamelin may participate in the development of enamel and mantle dentin.
Lü
Ping
P
Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Gao
Xue-jun
XJ
Jia
Hong-ti
HT
Wang
Jia-de
JD
Gao
Yan
Y
Wei
Ming-jie
MJ
D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008963:Molar / Q000196:embryology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger