GD3 synthase gene found expressed in dental epithelium and shown to regulate cell proliferation.

GD3 synthase is one of the key enzymes involved with ganglioside synthesis, and its activity regulates the main profile of ganglioside expression. We analyzed the expression of the GD3 synthase gene in laser-dissected teeth germs using RT-PCR. The GD3 synthase gene was found expressed in brain, thymus, and tooth germ tissues, however, not in liver or skin specimens. Further, it was highly expressed during the early stage of tooth germ development (embryonic day 14.5), especially in dental epithelia, which gradually reduced in the molar site until postnatal day 7, whereas it was not in dental mesenchyme tissues. In addition, dental epithelial cells transiently transfected with the GD3 synthase gene showed enhanced proliferation. These results indicate that the GD3 synthase gene may be involved in early tooth development, particularly in the proliferation of dental epithelium.