title: [Spatiotemporal expression pattern of E-cadherin and P-cadherin during mouse tooth development].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression patterns of E-cadherin and P-cadherin in murine-tooth germs at early developmental stages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mandible samples of CD1 mice from embryonic day 12.5 to postnatal day 3.5 were collected. The expressions of E-cadherin and P-cadherin in murine mandibular first molar germs were detected by immunofluorescence and observed under confocal fluorescence microscope. HE staining was performed for tissue morphology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both E-cadherin and P-cadherin were widely expressed in the epithelial tissues through early developmental stages. The E-cadherin expression was increased in polarizing pre-ameloblasts, whereas the P-cadherin expression declined. The expression of the P-cadherin could be detected in epithelial tissues before bud stage, and expressed in mature ameloblasts at secretory stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The E-cadherin and P-cadherin expressed in different spatiotemporal expression patterns, indicating their individual functions during tooth development. P-cadherin might function in the secretion and mineralization of enamel.
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China; Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston 02115, USA.
authors: Shao-yun
authors: SY
authors: Zhao
authors: Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston 02115, USA.
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors: Yu-ming
authors: YM
authors: Zhao
authors: Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston 02115, USA; Department of Implantation, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
authors: Qing-jie
authors: QJ
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston 02115, USA.
authors: Xiu-ping
authors: XP
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
authors: Li-hong
authors: LH
authors: Ge
mesh_terms: D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003743:Dental Enamel; D015870:Gene Expression; D051379:Mice; D008963:Molar; D009805:Odontogenesis; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins