FIGURE 10.

Immunolocalization of UTMP16 within a tooth cross-section early in the tooth development, where the primary and secondary plate mineralization has begun, and the keel has begun to develop. A, a total tooth cross-section (section 1090, ∼10 mm from the origin of the plumula). B, the boxed region of A shown at higher resolution. The mineralized primary plates, developing secondary plates, and cellular parts of the cell syncytia are labeled. The UTMP16 fluorescence diffusely labels the syncytia in the less mineralized or unmineralized regions but concentrates brightly at the cell membrane boundaries of the calcite plates. This localization suggests that the UTMP16 moves to the syncytial membrane when mineralization is initiated. 1, cell syncytia; 2, forming primary plates, membrane labeling; 3, primary plates, mineralized; 4, forming secondary plates, membrane labeling; 5, mineralized secondary plates.