Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2007 Sep;20(3):235-244.

Expression of Uchl1 in the Dental Epithelium during Mouse Tooth Development

• Kim HS
• Kim DW
• Yang JY
• Jang EH
• Kim TH
• Cho ES

Abstract

Tooth is formed by the reciprocal interactions between the ectoderm and ectomesenchyme derived from neural crest. It has not been clear that neuronal factors involved in the morphogenesis and differentiation of tooth. To identify the roles of neuronal factors during the tooth development, the expression patterns and localization of Uchl1 were investigated in the developing mouse tooth germ by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Uchl1 transcripts were weakly expressed in the oral epithelium and dental lamina at bud stage. However, expression of Uchl1 was not found in the oral epithelium from cap stage and observed in the inner enamel epithelium, stellate reticulum and dental papilla. From the bell stage, Uchl1 was expressed in the inner enamel epithelium and ameloblasts. Uchl1, was appeared to be localized in the inner enamel epithelium and differentiating ameloblasts of molar and incisors at neonates. Uchl1 was localized strongly in the fully differentiated ameloblasts and adjacent papillary layer whereas localized weakly in the odontoblasts of the molar at postnatal day 5. From these results, Uchl1 was expressed and localized in the differentiating dental epithelium and ameloblasts during tooth development. The results suggest that neuronal protein, Uchl1 may play roles in the histo- and cyto-differentiation of non-neuronal dental epithelium.

MeSH Terms

Ameloblasts
Animals
Dental Enamel
Dental Papilla
Ectoderm
Epithelium*
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization
Incisor
Infant, Newborn
Mice*
Molar
Morphogenesis
Neural Crest
Neurons
Odontoblasts
Reticulum
Tooth Germ
Tooth*