Expression of ErbB3, ErbB4, and neuregulin‐1 mRNA during tooth development

• Published in: Developmental dynamics Vol. 224; no. 3; pp. 356 - 360
• Main Authors: Fried, K., Risling, M., Tidcombe, H., Gassmann, M., Lillesaar, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.07.2002
• Subjects: Animals; development; ErbB3; ErbB4; ErbB4 knockout mice; In Situ Hybridization; innervation; MEDICIN; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; MEDICINE; Mice; Mice, Knockout; neuregulin; Neuregulin-1 - biosynthesis; Neuregulin-1 - genetics; Phenotype; Protein Isoforms; rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - genetics; Receptor, ErbB-3 - biosynthesis; Receptor, ErbB-3 - genetics; Receptor, ErbB-4; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Time Factors; tooth; Tooth - embryology
• ISSN: 1058-8388; 1097-0177; 1097-0177
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.10114

The receptor tyrosine kinases ErbB3 and ErbB4, which bind to various variants of neuregulin (NRG), play fundamental roles in neural development and in organs, which form through epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions. Here, we demonstrate that NRG‐1 and the receptors ErbB3 and ErbB4 are expressed locally during rodent tooth development. However, the mRNA expression patterns of ErbB3 and ErbB4 were distinctly different during odontogenesis. Examinations of teeth in genetically heart‐rescued ErbB4‐/‐ mice did not reveal any obvious deviation from the normal phenotype. The results suggest that ErbB3 and ErbB4 may participate in tooth morphogenesis. The specific interactions between NRG isoforms and ErbB receptors during this process remain to be determined. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.