Telomere DNA and Oral Tissue Senescence as Molecular Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment in Dentistry

2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 12470414
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 補綴理工系歯学
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical & Dental University
• Principal Investigator: KUMEI Yasuhiro Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Instructor, 大学院・医歯学総合研究科, 講師 (30161714)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NAKAJIMA Keisuke Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, associate professor, 歯学部, 助教授 (80227785) ; KOBAYASHI Chihiro Tokyo Medical and Dental University, associate professor, 大学院・医歯学総合研究科, 助教授 (80126226) ; KOBAYASHI Kenichi Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Instructor, 歯学部附属病院, 講師 (00170316)
• Project Period (FY): 2000 – 2002
• Keywords: telomere / senescence / bioinformatics / DNA / tissue regeneration / dentistry

Research Abstract

We have developed a novel diagnostic system that is based on the evaluation of telomeres of DNA chromosomes in oral tissues including dental pulp and periodontal mucosa. The telomeres of most human somatic cells shorten with successive cell division. This method refers to the actual senescence of the oral tissue and to predict the post-treatment results. The sample DNA was extracted from each dental pulp and a small gingival piece. DNA was quantified with the fluorescent dye, using a commercially available human genomic DNA as a standardized control. Concentrations of the DNA samples were calculated from the equation describing the best-fit line generated with the standardized control DNA. After slot blot hybridization was performed, the telomere DNA was quantified. Results contributes to improvement of diagnostic accuracy treatment plan for individual patients.