Fig. 4
Inhibition of BMP signaling pathway in the Sox2-Cre;Fam20cfl/fl mice. A and B, IHC analysis of P-Smad1/5/8 on the sagittal sections of the mandibular incisors of 3-day-old Fam20cfl/fl and Sox2-Cre;Fam20cfl/fl mice. a1 and b1 are the higher magnification views of the secretory ameloblasts in black boxes in A and B, respectively. The level of P-Smad1/5/8 was markedly reduced in the Sox2-Cre;Fam20cfl/fl mice than in the Fam20cfl/fl mice. C, Western-immunoblotting analyses of P-Smad1/5/8 and T-Smad1/5/8 of the enamel organ cells of 3-day-old Fam20cfl/fl and Sox2-Cre;Fam20cfl/fl mouse incisors. D, Relative protein levels of P-Smad1/5/8 to total P-Smad1/5/8 determined by Western immunoblotting (n = 3; * = p < 0.05). The protein levels of P-Smad1/5/8 were significantly decreased in the enamel organ cells of Sox2-Cre;Fam20cfl/fl mice compared to the Fam20cfl/fl mice, while the protein levels of T-Smad1/5/8 were not changed. Scale bars: 500 μm in A and B, respectively and 20 μm in a1 and b1, respectively