Development of larval and transformed teeth in Ambystoma mexicanum (Urodela, Amphibia): an ultrastructural study. 2002

J Wistuba, and H Greven, and G Clemen
Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Vergleichende Embryologie der Universität Münster, Germany.

Odontogenesis of early larval non-pedicellate teeth, late larval teeth with a more or less distinct dividing zone and fully transformed pedicellate teeth in Ambystoma mexicanum (Urodela) was studied to obtain insights into the development of differently structured teeth in lower vertebrates. Using transmission electron microscopy we investigated five developmental stages: (1) papilla; (2) bell stage (secretion of the matrix begins); (3) primordium (mineralization and activity of ameloblasts starts); (4) replacement tooth (young, old); and (5) established, functional tooth. Development of the differently structured teeth is largely identical in the first three stages. Mineralization takes place in apico-basal direction up to the (prospective) pedicel (early and some late larvae) or up to the zone that divides the late larval and transformed tooth in pedicel and dentine shaft (pedicellate condition). Mineralization starts directly at the collagen and by means of matrix vesicles. First odontoblasts develop small processes that extend to the basal lamina of the inner epithelial layer of the enamel organ. The processes are small and lack organelles in early larval teeth, but become larger, arborescent, and contain some organelles in late larval and transformed teeth. The processes are surrounded by unmineralized matrix (predentine). Odontoblasts at the basis of the teeth, at the pedicel, and in the zone of division do not develop significant cytoplasmic processes that extend into the matrix. Cells of the inner enamel epithelium differentiate to ameloblasts that secrete the enamel. In the early larval tooth they show an extensive basal labyrinth that becomes regressive when the enamel layer is completed. In late larval and transformed teeth, however, a large cavity arises between the basal ruffled border of ameloblasts and their basal lamina. This cavity appears to mediate amelogenesis. A small apical zone in early, but not in late larval teeth directly below the thin enamel layer consists of enameloid and is free of dentine channels.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007814 Larva Wormlike or grublike stage, following the egg in the life cycle of insects, worms, and other metamorphosing animals. Maggots,Tadpoles,Larvae,Maggot,Tadpole
D009804 Odontoblasts The mesenchymal cells which line the DENTAL PULP CAVITY and produce DENTIN. They have a columnar morphology in the coronal pulp but are cuboidal in the root pulp, or when adjacent to tertiary dentin. Odontoblast
D009805 Odontogenesis The process of TOOTH formation. It is divided into several stages including: the dental lamina stage, the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage. Odontogenesis includes the production of tooth enamel (AMELOGENESIS), dentin (DENTINOGENESIS), and dental cementum (CEMENTOGENESIS). Odontogeneses
D005109 Extracellular Matrix A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere. Matrix, Extracellular,Extracellular Matrices,Matrices, Extracellular
D000558 Ambystoma mexicanum A salamander found in Mexican mountain lakes and accounting for about 30 percent of the urodeles used in research. The axolotl remains in larval form throughout its life, a phenomenon known as neoteny. Axolotl,Mexican Salamander,Ambystoma mexicanums,Axolotls,Salamander, Mexican,mexicanums, Ambystoma
D000565 Ameloblasts Cylindrical epithelial cells in the innermost layer of the ENAMEL ORGAN. Their functions include contribution to the development of the dentinoenamel junction by the deposition of a layer of the matrix, thus producing the foundation for the prisms (the structural units of the DENTAL ENAMEL), and production of the matrix for the enamel prisms and interprismatic substance. (From Jablonski's Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992) Ameloblast
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014083 Tooth Germ The collective tissues from which an entire tooth is formed, including the DENTAL SAC; ENAMEL ORGAN; and DENTAL PAPILLA. (From Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992) Germ, Tooth,Germs, Tooth,Tooth Germs

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