title: Dynamic expression of Wnt signaling-related Dickkopf1, -2, and -3 mRNAs in the developing mouse tooth.
abstract: Wnt signaling is essential for tooth formation. Members of the Dickkopf (Dkk) family modulate the Wnt signaling pathway by binding to the Wnt receptor complex. Comparison of Dkk1, -2, and -3 mRNA expression during mouse tooth formation revealed that all three genes showed distinct spatiotemporally regulated expression patterns. Dkk1 was prominently expressed in the distal, incisor-bearing mesenchyme area of the mandibular process during the initial stages of tooth formation. During molar morphogenesis Dkk1 was detected in the dental mesenchyme, including the preodontoblasts. Dkk2 was seen in the dental papilla, whereas Dkk3 was specifically expressed in the putative epithelial signaling centers, the primary and secondary enamel knots. Postnatally, Dkk1 was prominently expressed in the preodonto- and odontoblasts, while Dkk3 mRNAs were transiently seen in the preameloblasts before the onset of enamel matrix secretion. These results suggest that modulation of Wnt-signaling by Dkks may serve important functions in patterning of dentition as well as in crown morphogenesis and dental hard-tissue formation.
authors.affiliation: Section of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Karianne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fjeld
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kettunen
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furmanek
authors.forename: Inger Hals
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Kvinnsland
authors.forename: Keijo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Luukko
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014070:Tooth / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C501127:Dkk1 protein, mouse; C405060:Dkk2 protein, mouse; C405061:Dkk3 protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051153:Wnt Proteins