title: Epiprofin/Sp6: a new player in the regulation of tooth development.
abstract: Odontogenesis is governed by a complex network of intercellular signaling events between the dental epithelium and mesenchyme. This network leads to the progressive determination of tooth shape, and to the differentiation of these tissues into enamel-producing ameloblasts and dentin-producing odontoblasts respectively. Among the main signaling pathways involved in the regulation of tooth development, Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP), Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Wingless-type MMTV integration site (Wnt) pathways have been reported to play significant roles. Recently, the phenotype of mice deficient in Epiprofin/Sp6 (Epfn) has been found to present striking dental abnormalities, including a complete lack of differentiated ameloblasts and consequently no enamel, highly altered molar cusp patterns and the formation of multiple supernumerary teeth. In this article, we review the interaction of Epfn with the BMP, Shh and Wnt pathways in the regulation of tooth development, based on the data obtained from the study of several genetically modified mice.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ISREC-Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, NCCR Molecular Oncology, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Rojo
authors.forename: Gaskon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ibarretxe
authors.forename: Maitane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aurrekoetxea
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Vega
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Unda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009805:Odontogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; C498818:Sp6 protein, mouse