In this competing renewal, we propose to continue our research on the role of Runx2 in tooth development. Data from our work in the previous award period indicated key roles for Runx2 in directing the fate of Dental epithelium during morphogenesis and in controlling the onset of odontoblast differentiation. Our studies point to the critical need to learn how Runx2 activities are precisely regulated during tooth morphogenesis and cell differentiation and whether its role in these processes is modulated through interactions with other molecules. The nuclear protein Twist-1 is of particular interest as a regulatory protein partner for Runx2. Our rationale for studying if Runx2, a cell differentiation factor, interacts with Twist-1, a cell survival factor, is derived from studies in our and other laboratories that suggest that these interactions between Runx2 and Twist-1 occur at the protein level. Our experiments will directly test the hypothesis that Runx2's key functions in odontoblast differentiation are regulated by Twist-1 at the level of protein- protein interactions that are functionally antagonistic in nature. The selective and transient blocking of Runx2 function by Twist-1 provides a means to restrain odontoblast differentiation until morphogenesis is complete. We further propose that interactions between Runx2 and Twist-1 are not mutually antagonistic as Twist-1 can mediate cell proliferation during morphogenesis via FGF-mediated epithelial mesenchymal signaling. Hence, the presence of supernumerary teeth in human CCD and accessory buds in Runx2(-/-) mice likely reflect increased activity of Twist-1 rather than a direct effect of decreased levels of Runx2.
Aim 1 will determine if the patterns of Runx2 and Twist-1 (mRNA and protein) expression are compatible with their proposed partnership during tooth development and will correlate these patterns with the expression of molecular markers of tooth morphogenesis and odontoblast differentiation.
Aim 2 will assess with mouse genetic loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches whether alterations in Twist-1 expression affects tooth morphogenesis and odontoblast differentiation.
Aim 3 will study the molecular basis of Runx2 - Twist-1 protein interactions in Dental mesenchyme and the functional consequences of this interaction on Runx2 functions in odontoblast differentiation, and Aim 4 will test whether the bHLH domain of Twist-1 can mediate tooth morphogenesis via FGF-signaling that is independent of its interactions with Runx2. These studies will increase our understanding of how Runx2 achieves its selective functions in tooth development through its partnership with Twist-1. Importantly, they will explain how supernumerary teeth form and if odontoblast differentiation is determined by the release of an inhibition. Such data will also provide a framework for understanding the pathogenesis of Cleidocranial Dysplasia and Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome, 2 human genetic disorders that threaten dentition. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DE013368-05A1
Application #
7047640
Study Section
Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences Study Section (ODCS)
Program Officer
Small, Rochelle K
Project Start
1999-08-01
Project End
2010-05-31
Budget Start
2006-07-03
Budget End
2007-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$265,372
Indirect Cost
Name
Texas A&M University
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
835607441
City
College Station
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77845
Meng, Tian; Huang, Yanyu; Wang, Suzhen et al. (2015) Twist1 Is Essential for Tooth Morphogenesis and Odontoblast Differentiation. J Biol Chem 290:29593-602
Huang, Yanyu; Meng, Tian; Wang, Suzhen et al. (2014) Twist1- and Twist2-haploinsufficiency results in reduced bone formation. PLoS One 9:e99331
Siyam, Arwa; Wang, Suzhen; Qin, Chunlin et al. (2012) Nuclear localization of DMP1 proteins suggests a role in intracellular signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 424:641-6
Lu, Yongbo; Li, Yucheng; Cavender, Adriana C et al. (2012) Molecular studies on the roles of Runx2 and Twist1 in regulating FGF signaling. Dev Dyn 241:1708-15
Li, Y; Lu, Y; Maciejewska, I et al. (2011) TWIST1 promotes the odontoblast-like differentiation of dental stem cells. Adv Dent Res 23:280-4
Galler, K M; Yasue, A; Cavender, A C et al. (2007) A novel role for Twist-1 in pulp homeostasis. J Dent Res 86:951-5
D'Souza, Rena N; Klein, Ophir D (2007) Unraveling the molecular mechanisms that lead to supernumerary teeth in mice and men: current concepts and novel approaches. Cells Tissues Organs 186:60-9
Bronckers, Antonius L J J; Sasaguri, Kenichi; Cavender, Adriana C et al. (2005) Expression of Runx2/Cbfa1/Pebp2alphaA during angiogenesis in postnatal rodent and fetal human orofacial tissues. J Bone Miner Res 20:428-37
Aberg, Thomas; Wang, Xiu-Ping; Kim, Jung-Hwan et al. (2004) Runx2 mediates FGF signaling from epithelium to mesenchyme during tooth morphogenesis. Dev Biol 270:76-93
Aberg, Thomas; Cavender, Adriana; Gaikwad, Joel S et al. (2004) Phenotypic changes in dentition of Runx2 homozygote-null mutant mice. J Histochem Cytochem 52:131-9

Showing the most recent 10 out of 16 publications