Epithelial Dlx-2 homeogene expression and cementogenesis

J Histochem Cytochem. 2000 Feb;48(2):277-84. doi: 10.1177/002215540004800213.

Abstract

The Dlx-2 (distal-less gene) homeoprotein transcription factor controls early tooth development but has not been studied during the late stages of biomineralization. Transgenic mice containing a Dlx-2/LacZ reporter construct were used to map the Dlx-2 expression pattern in cementoblasts, the dental cells most closely related to bone cells and therefore suggested to be uniquely positioned osteoblasts. During initial root formation, marked expression of Dlx-2 was evident in molar and incisor root epithelium, whereas dental papilla and follicle were negative. Dlx-2 was expressed in this epithelium from the apical loop to the area of its disruption. During acellular cementum formation in both incisors and molars, Dlx-2 expression was observed in the majority of differentiated cementoblasts from the apical region to the erupting zones. During cellular cementum formation, the presence of which characterizes growth-limited molars, Dlx-2 expression was restricted to the innermost cementoblasts and entrapped cementocytes. These data further support the hypothesis of a complex origin and fate of cementum-forming cells, as previously suggested by the expression patterns of a set of mesenchymal and epithelial markers, notably ameloblastin as shown here. Dlx-2 expression might constitute a landmark of cementoblast subpopulations of epithelial origin. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:277-283, 2000)

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Cementogenesis
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Dental Cementum / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Homeodomain Proteins*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Distal-less homeobox proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Tes protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors