Function analysis of mesenchymal Bcor in tooth development by using RNA interference

Teeth, an excellent model for studying organogenesis, develop from a series of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that are mediated by a complex molecular network. Bcor (BCL-6 interacting corepressor) has recently been discovered, but little is known about its function in tooth development. Mutations in BCOR affect humans with oculofaciocardiodental syndrome, which is an X-linked dominant disorder with presumed male lethality and which comprises microphthalmia, congenital cataracts, radiculomegaly, and cardiac and digital abnormalities. In this study, the Bcor expression pattern has been intensively investigated during mouse molar development. Bcor is expressed in both dental epithelium and the mesenchyme at E11.5. To understand the function of Bcor, knockdown of Bcor has been examined by using lentivirus-mediated RNA interference. Silencing of Bcor expression in dental mesenchymal cells at E14.5 causes dentinogenesis defects and retardation of tooth root development. Thus, our results suggest that Bcor expressed in the mesenchyme plays crucial roles during early tooth development. The function of Bcor expressed in the epithelium remains to be elucidated.