Dpysl4 is involved in tooth germ morphogenesis through growth regulation, polarization and differentiation of dental epithelial cells

Dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 4 (Dpysl4) is a known regulator of hippocampal neuron development. Here, we report that Dpysl4 is involved in growth regulation, polarization and differentiation of dental epithelial cells during tooth germ morphogenesis. A reduction in Dpysl4 gene expression in the tooth germ produced a loss of ameloblasts, resulting in the decrease of synthesis and secretion of enamel. The inhibition of Dpysl4 gene expression led to promotion of cell proliferation of inner enamel epithelial cells and inhibition of the differentiation of these cells into pre-ameloblasts, which was confirmed by analyzing cell polarization, columnar cell structure formation and the expression of ameloblast marker genes. By contrast, overexpression of Dpysl4 in dental epithelial cells induces inhibition of growth and increases the expression of the inner enamel epithelial cell marker gene, Msx2. These findings suggest that Dpysl4 plays essential roles in tooth germ morphogenesis through the regulation of dental epithelial cell proliferation, cell polarization and differentiation.