Figure 2. αE-catenin is required for maintaining proper cell polarity in the tooth germ epithelium.

(a,b) PAR3 is apically localized in cells of the basal layer at E13.5. (c,d) Deletion of Ctnna1 causes basal mislocalization of PAR3. (e) Quantification of the cells with mislocalized PAR3 in basal layers of control and Ctnna1^cKO tooth germs (mean±s.e.m., n=3, P<0.05). (f,g) Scribble is laterally localized in the basal layer at E13.5. (h,i) The level of Scribble protein is decreased after ablation of αE-catenin. (j–q) Inhibition of aPKC with Gö 6983 induces nuclear localization of YAP in the explant culture. (r) Quantification of nuclear YAP in vehicle and antagonist treated tissues (mean±s.e.m., n=3, P<0.01). (s,t) Knockdown of PAR3 with shRNA induces YAP nuclear localization in primary epithelial cells. (u) Quantification of nuclear YAP in control (shcon) and shRNA (shPar3)-treated cells (mean±s.e.m., n=3, P<0.01). All quantifications are analysed by using Student's t-test. *P<0.05, **P<0.01. Dotted lines outline the epithelium of the incisor tooth germ. Scale bar, 25 μm (a,c,f,h,j,l,n,p); 8 μm (b,d,g,i,k,m,o,q); 100 μm (s,t).