Elucidation of the differentiation mechanism associated with apical-basal polarity determination

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19610
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 57:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshizaki Keigo 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 助教 (10507982)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 歯 / エナメル芽細胞 / 細胞極性 / 分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Teeth are known as organs formed by epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. Enamel, the surface coating of teeth, is the hardest tissue in our body. It is generated by the secretion of enamel matrix by ameloblasts, followed by its extensive mineralization. Ameloblasts are thought to undergo a highly polarized process during differentiation to secrete enamel matrix, however the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. This study demonstrates that PKP1, involved in cell adhesion, plays a crucial role in ameloblast polarization by regulating the intracellular localization of ZO-1.

Free Research Field

歯科矯正学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

エナメル質の再生は未だ成し遂げられておらず、現在の歯科治療は欠損したエナメル質を人工物へと置き換えることで行われている。エナメル質再生のためには、細胞の３次元的配置をコントロールする技術が必要と考えられる。本研究によりエナメル芽細胞の極性化機構の一端を解明できたことにより、将来のエナメル質再生技術の一助となる可能性が考えられる。