Expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the development of rat first molar tooth germ.

Tooth germ development is associated with morphological and biochemical changes of the dental papilla and enamel organ. Enzymes with gelatinolytic activities were studied by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzymography in tooth germ of newborn to 15-day-old rats. Three major bands with gelatinolytic activity were detected at all periods and characterized as the latent and active forms of MMP-2 using their molecular weight and activity dependent on Zn++ and Ca++ ions as criteria. Expression and activity of MMP-2 increased progressively from 0 to 15 days after birth. Mechanical separation of the tooth germ from 10-day-old rats showed that the gelatinolytic activity was localized mainly in the dental papilla and not the dental organ. These data indicate that the expression and activity of MMP-2 varies during the development and maturation of rat first molar tooth germ.