FIGURE 1.

Screening of representative genes involved in amelogenesis: LS8 cells were transfected with pCMVtag2-Flag-Msx2 then cultured for 48 h. Total RNA was isolated from the cells and subjected to reverse transcription PCR analysis. Upregulated genes are shown in red while downregulated ones are shown in green. The expression of Sp6, Sp3, Sprouty 2, Connexin 43, Wnt3, Tgfb1 and Enam (enamelin), Laminin 5 alpha 3 (lama3), as well as Msx2 itself, is up-regulated in the Msx2 overexpressing cells. In contrast, the expression of Tbx1, Amel (amelogenin), Fst (Follistatin) is downregulated in the Msx2 overexpressing cells, while Ambn (ameloblastin) expression is partially diminished, almost not affected. Gapdh is the housekeeping gene. C, cells transfected with control vector only; Msx2, cells are transfected with pCMVtag2-Flag-Msx2.