Figure 4.

Localization of E- and N-cadherins to the ameloblast layer of mouse enamel organs. Thin sections of pre-secretory, secretory, and maturation-stage enamel organs were stained by immunohistochemical procedures with E- and N-cadherin antibodies. A strong E- to N-cadherin switch from the pre-secretory to the secretory stage was observed in WT and Mmp20 ablated ameloblasts. In WT samples, staining of both cadherins declined in the maturation stage, while in Mmp20 null samples, strong staining for N-cadherin persisted into the maturation stage. All images were taken at 200X magnification.