[Expression of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli protein and correlation between them in the development of mouse tooth germ].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the distributions of beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein in the tooth germ, and obtain the messages of function of the two factors and the relationship between them.


METHODS
Mice were selected and cohabited with the ratio of female mice to male ones being 2:1, and Embryo day 0.5 was confirmed based on the finding of vaginal plug. The distributions of beta-catenin and APC protein in the Embryos on day 13.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 17.5 were examined in the paraffin-embedded sections by immunohistochemistry methods.


RESULTS
During E13.5 d to E17.5 d, positive expression of beta-catenin was found in the oral epithelium and the dental lamina, and became more and more strong. The staining were whole cell. During the bud stage, strong positive expression of APC protein was found in the oral epithelium and the dental lamina, but the expression displayed a down-regulation tendency. The staining was the cytomembrane and cytoplasm. There was negative correlation between beta-catenin and APC protein (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The result of beta-catenin suggests its contribution in the early development of enamel organ and the proliferation of cell. Coincidance of the two factors staining site was found, according to the statistics.
Jiang
Rui-zhong
RZ
Dept. of Stomatology, Jiaozuo Health School, Jiaozuo 454100, China.
Zhu
En-xin
EX
Liu
Ting-jiao
TJ
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D014083:Tooth Germ; D051176:beta Catenin
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin