ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the expression patterns of E-cadherin and P-cadherin in murine-tooth germs at early developmental stages .Methods:Mandible samples of CD 1 mice from embryonic day 12 .5 to postnatal day 3 .5 were collected .The expressions of E-cadherin and P-cadherin in murine man-dibular first molar germs were detected by immunofluorescence and observed under confocal fluorescence microscope .HE staining was performed for tissue morphology .Results:Both E-cadherin and P-cadherin were widely expressed in the epithelial tissues through early developmental stages .The E-cadherin ex-pression was increased in polarizing pre-ameloblasts , whereas the P-cadherin expression declined .The expression of the P-cadherin could be detected in epithelial tissues before bud stage , and expressed in mature ameloblasts at secretory stage .Conclusion:The E-cadherin and P-cadherin expressed in different spatiotemporal expression patterns , indicating their individual functions during tooth development .P-cad-herin might function in the secretion and mineralization of enamel .