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. 2013 Jul 1;140(13):2697–2702. doi: 10.1242/dev.088393

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4.

Tbx2 negatively regulates Bmp4 expression in molar mesenchyme. (A) The partially rescued Msx1-/-;Tbx2+/- upper molars were analyzed for Bmp4 expression by in situ hybridization. Bmp4 expression is detected in the mesenchyme of the rescued molar (right panel). (B) C3H10T1/2 cells were transduced with lentiviral particles containing either a control shRNA or a Tbx2 shRNA. qPCR for Tbx2, Msx1 and Bmp4 transcripts was performed on RNA isolated from four separate pellets each from two independent transduction experiments. Tbx2 expression is downregulated as expected (**P<0.00001). Msx1 expression is unaffected as in the control, whereas Bmp4 expression is significantly upregulated (*P<0.01). (C) Model depicting how epithelial Bmp4 from the dental placode is sufficient to induce mesenchymal expression of both Msx1 and Tbx2. Subsequently, these two transcription factors antagonistically regulate enamel knot formation and mesenchymal Bmp4 expression, hence maintaining a fine-tuned level of Bmp4. e, epithelium; m, mesenchyme; EK, enamel knot. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.