Gene
Expression of Matrix Proteins in Cbfa1-Knockout Mice
Hitoshi NAGATSUKA
Department of
Oral Pathology and Medicine,
Dentistry and
Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Cbfa1 is well-recognized
as the master regulator of osteoblastic differentiation, little is known of its
precise role during odontogenesis. We sought to
clarify this by examining morphogenesis of teeth and matrix protein gene
expression in cbfa1-knock-out mice. Results demonstrated morphological and
functional differentiation differences between these two processes: incisor
tooth germ showed morphological and functional differentiation of odontoblasts with expression of osteopontin.
Stage-specific and cytodifferentiation differences
were also observed between incisor and molar tooth germs. Present findings
suggest that 1. The transcription factor Cbfa-1 is associated with
morphogenesis of teeth and matrix protein gene expression. 2. Compared to the
incisor tooth germ, the molar tooth germ is more strongly subjected to control
by Cbfa1, and 3. In Cbfa1-knockout mice, the odontoblast-like
cells in the incisor showed different patterns of gene expression of matrix
proteins common to teeth and bones.