Open AccessTight junctions in differentiating ameloblasts and odontoblasts differentially express ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin‐1 in early odontogenesis of rat molars
Author(s) -
João Silvia M.A.,
AranaChavez Victor E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the anatomical record part a: discoveries in molecular, cellular, and evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-4892
pISSN - 1552-4884
DOI - 10.1002/ar.a.20021
Subject(s) - ameloblast , occludin , odontoblast , claudin , tight junction , microbiology and biotechnology , tapetum , amelogenesis , chemistry , biology , molar , anatomy , pathology , dentin , enamel paint , stamen , medicine , botany , dentistry , pollen , paleontology , microspore
Little is known about the expression of associated proteins during the assembly of tight junctions (TJs). We studied the distribution of ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin‐1 between differentiating ameloblasts and odontoblasts in molar tooth germs from 1‐ to 3‐day‐old rats by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Immunoreactivity for ZO‐1 was strong at proximal and distal junctional complexes of differentiating ameloblasts, while it was weak and punctuate at the distal region of differentiating odontoblasts. Occludin was immunoreactive at distal and proximal complexes of early differentiating ameloblasts and at distal regions of differentiating odontoblasts. However, in more advanced stages, occludin was only evident at the proximal complex of ameloblasts. Claudin‐1 was strongly detected at the proximal complex but it was weak at distal complex of late differentiating ameloblasts. Thus, our results showed that ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin‐1 are differentially expressed as TJs assemble for regulating polarity and/or paracellular permeability in differentiating ameloblasts and odontoblasts. Anat Rec Part A 277A:338–343, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.