Tooth Removal in the Leopard Gecko and the de novo Formation of Replacement Teeth.

ABSTRACT: Many reptiles are able to continuously replace their teeth through life, an ability attributed to the existence of epithelial stem cells. Tooth replacement occurs in a spatially and temporally regulated manner, suggesting the involvement of diffusible factors, potentially over long distances. Here, we locally disrupted tooth replacement in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) and followed the recovery of the dentition. We looked at the effects on local patterning and functionally tested whether putative epithelial stem cells can give rise to multiple cell types in the enamel organs of new teeth. Second generation teeth with enamel and dentine were removed from adult geckos. The dental lamina was either left intact or disrupted in order to interfere with local patterning cues.

SUBMITTER: Brink KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8126719 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature