Jheon, A.H., Mostowfi, P., Snead, M.L., Ihrie, R.A., Sone, E., Pramparo, T., Attardi, L.D. and Klein, O.D.
Notes: The authors determined that PERP, a tetraspan membrane protein, is required for enamel formation during tooth development in mice. Using microarray analysis, they then identified genes that were differentially expressed in wildtype and Perp-null mice and might be involved in enamel formation. Differential expression of these genes was confirmed by qPCR using the GoTaq® qPCR Master Mix. The authors also identified an upstream regulator of Perp, P63, by transfecting cells derived from embryonic mouse teeth with a Perp-luciferase reporter construct that contained a P63 response element or mutated P63 response element. A Renilla luciferase vector was used for normalization of transfection efficiency, and luciferase assays were performed using the Dual-Luciferase® Reporter Assay System. (4168)