Abstract
A wide variety of stimuli can trigger activation of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP-responsive element binding protein), pointing toward a central role for CREB in the integration of various signaling inputs. No data are available on the expression and phosphorylation of CREB in mammalian teeth. Using immunohistochemical analysis of free-floating sections, we show here that CREB was strongly expressed and phosphorylated at Ser-133 within the nucleus of a subpopulation of adult human molar odontoblasts. Many dental pulp stromal cells and periodontal ligament fibroblasts expressed CREB and showed phosphorylation of CREB at Ser-133. In addition, cementoblasts displayed nuclear expression and phosphorylation of CREB at Ser-133. The epithelial rests of Malassez revealed strong nuclear expression of CREB, but phosphorylation at Ser-133 was variable. Our results provide the first evidence that the constitutively phosphorylated transcription factor CREB is involved in the biomineralization process of adult human molar odontoblasts and cementoblasts.
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We thank Dr. Klaus Nohroudi for critically reading the manuscript.
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The authors declare that there are no potential conflicts of interest.
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Klinz, FJ., Korkmaz, Y., Cho, B. et al. Transcription factor CREB is phosphorylated in human molar odontoblasts and cementoblasts in vivo. Histochem Cell Biol 139, 615–620 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-012-1047-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-012-1047-8