The role of β-catenin in tooth development

Abstract

Background:The present experimental study was conducted on tooth development during embryogenesis in developing mouse. with main objective to identify the expression and action β -Catenin in development of teeth and mophogenesis. Materials and Methods:This study comprised a total of (21) sections were selected during different stages of tooth development (bud, cap and bell stage), (7) sections from each stage in developing mouse. The expression of Beta-Catenin was carried out on 4μm specimen sections using Immuno histochemical staining of β-Catenin antibody. The staining demonstrated the expression intensity.
Results:Results shows intense nuclear and cytoplasmic staining in inner enamel epithelium, outer enamel epithelium and in adjacent dental papilla and ecto-mesenchymal cells surrounding the tooth germ, that will give rise to a definite dental sac,while the stellate reticulum, shows only moderate cytoplasmic and not nuclear staining.
Conclusion: β-catenin is highly expressed during tooth development stages due to its role in cell signaling transmission between the enamel knot and the surrounding mesenchymal cells to induce tooth formation and its morphogenesis.