Dental Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dental, including details on implants, health, hygiene, cosmetic, dentistry.

GD3 synthase gene found expressed in dental epithelium and shown to regulate cell proliferation.

Yamada A, Fukumoto E, Kamasaki Y, Ida-Yonemochi H, Saku T, Fujiwara T, Fukumoto S

Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Developmental and Reconstructive Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan.

GD3 synthase is one of the key enzymes involved with ganglioside synthesis, and its activity regulates the main profile of ganglioside expression. We analyzed the expression of the GD3 synthase gene in laser-dissected teeth germs using RT-PCR. The GD3 synthase gene was found expressed in brain, thymus, and tooth germ tissues, however, not in liver or skin specimens. Further, it was highly expressed during the early stage of tooth germ development (embryonic day 14.5), especially in dental epithelia, which gradually reduced in the molar site until postnatal day 7, whereas it was not in dental mesenchyme tissues. In addition, dental epithelial cells transiently transfected with the GD3 synthase gene showed enhanced proliferation. These results indicate that the GD3 synthase gene may be involved in early tooth development, particularly in the proliferation of dental epithelium.

Published 7 March 2005 in Arch Oral Biol, 50(4): 393-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Dental Research Today. All Rights Reserved.